SEC Seinfeld Index: January 22

Just when you thought you had a grasp on the SEC, weekends like this past one happen. The highest ranked teams in the conference, Auburn and Kentucky, both lost, leaving Florida atop the standings at 6-1. With twelve games left in the season, anything can happen, so let’s turn to our friends from Seinfeld to help make sense of what’s going on in the league.

First, a look at the current SEC standings:

 

Kramer Pimp Walk

 #20 Florida (14-5, 6-1)

Last week: Won vs. Arkansas (88-73), Won at #18 Kentucky (66-64)

The Gators rebounded with a loss at Ole Miss with back-to-back wins over Arkansas and Kentucky, which vaulted them back into the Top 25. Florida usually lives or dies by the three, but thanks to Kentucky’s scoring drought, they were able to knock off the Cats in Rupp despite shooting only 20% from the outside.

This week: vs. South Carolina, vs. Baylor

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“Not that there’s anything wrong with that”

 #19 Auburn (17-2, 5-1)

Last week: Lost at Alabama (76-71), Won vs. Georgia (79-65)

If not for an impressive second half rally vs. Georgia, Auburn also would have dropped two games last week. On Tuesday, they fell to Alabama, which may mean they’re not as elite as many thought, but losing to a good Crimson Tide team in Tuscaloosa is far from the end of the world in today’s SEC.

This week: at Missouri, vs. LSU

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Shrinkage

 Kentucky (14-5, 4-3)

Last week: Lost at South Carolina (76-68), Lost vs. Florida (66-64)

Despite Jarred Vanderbilt’s debut and Quade Green returning from injury, it was a horrible week for Kentucky. Back-to-back losses put their weakness on full display, notably the absence of a go-to scorer. For the Cats to recapture any sort of momentum, someone must step up.

This week: vs. Mississippi State, at #7 West Virginia

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Spongeworthy

 Alabama (13-6, 5-2)

Last week: Won vs. #17 Auburn (76-71), Won vs. Mississippi State (68-62)

Alabama delivered Auburn their first loss in two months last week without their best player, Collin Sexton, who is out with an abdominal injury. With four straight wins, the pieces are coming together for Avery Johnson. Hopefully Sexton is back for Saturday’s game vs. #12 Oklahoma, which could be the marquee win Johnson’s been waiting for.

This week: at Ole Miss, vs. #12 Oklahoma

  #22 Tennessee (13-5, 4-3)

Last week: Lost at Missouri (59-55), Won at South Carolina (70-63)

After a discouraging loss at Missouri, the Vols rebounded with a win at South Carolina, something Kentucky couldn’t manage last week.

This week: vs. Vanderbilt, at Iowa State

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Yada Yada Yada

 Arkansas (13-6, 3-4)

Last week: Lost at Florida (88-73), Won vs. Ole Miss (97-93)

It was another ho-hum week for the Razorbacks, who lost at Florida but beat Ole Miss at home. With four losses in the last six games, Arkansas needs to pick up some road wins if they want to make the tournament.

This week: at Georgia, vs. Oklahoma State

Georgia (12-6, 3-4)

Last week: Won at LSU (61-60), Lost at #17 Auburn (79-65)

Georgia led #17 Auburn by 14 points at halftime on Saturday, but fell apart in the second half, letting Auburn go on a 18-2 run. A one-point win at LSU on Tuesday saved the Bulldogs from complete embarrassment.

This week: vs. Arkansas, at Kansas State

Missouri (13-6, 3-3)

Last week: Won vs. #21 Tennessee (59-55), Lost at Texas A&M (60-49)

Missouri’s impressive win over Tennessee was dulled by a bad loss at Texas A&M. Wednesday’s game vs. #19 Auburn will tell us a lot.

This week: vs. #19 Auburn, at Mississippi State

 Texas A&M (13-6, 2-5)

Last week: Won vs. Ole Miss (71-69), Won vs. Missouri (60-49)

Well, look who changed out of their sweatpants! Texas A&M desperately needed some wins, and they got two at home last week. We all know the Aggies are talented and now that they’re finally healthy, we’ll see if they can salvage their season in back-to-back road games at LSU and Kansas this week.

This week: at LSU, at #5 Kansas

South Carolina (12-7, 3-4)

Last week: Won vs. #18 Kentucky (76-68), Loss vs. #21 Tennessee (70-63)

The Gamecocks blew a chance to make a good week great by not making their free throws late vs. Tennessee. Things won’t get any easier this week, with back-to-back games vs. Top 20 teams.

This week: at #20 Florida, vs. #14 Texas Tech

Ole Miss (10-9, 3-4)

Last week: Lost at Texas A&M (71-69), Lost at Arkansas (97-93)

The Rebel Black Bear Landsharks lost both of their road games last week, but they did beat Florida before that, so who knows?

This week: vs. Alabama, at Texas

 Mississippi State (14-5, 2-4)

Last week: Won vs. Vanderbilt (80-62), Lost at Alabama (68-62)

The Bulldogs bounced back after three straight losses with a dominating performance vs. Vanderbilt and had Alabama on the ropes in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. They’ll face an angry Kentucky team tomorrow night.

This week: at Kentucky, vs. Missouri

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Eh…

LSU (11-7, 2-4)

Last week: Lost vs. Georgia (61-60), Lost at Vanderbilt (77-71)

The Tigers have lost three in a row, one of those to a bad Vanderbilt team. Things don’t get any easier, with a surging Texas A&M team coming to town tomorrow night and a road trip to Auburn on the horizon.

This week: vs. Texas A&M, at #19 Auburn

Vanderbilt (7-12, 2-5)

Last week: Lost at Mississippi State (80-62), Won vs. LSU (77-71)

After getting steamrolled in Starkville, the ‘Dores avoided a fifth straight loss by beating LSU at home on Saturday. Riley LaChance redeemed himself a little after choking vs. Kentucky, hitting a pair of free throws to put Vandy ahead for good in the final minutes; however, the Dores still aren’t good, especially without Matthew Fisher-Davis (shoulder).

This week: at #22 Tennessee, vs. TCU

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