SEC Basketball Power Rankings: New Year's Eve

1. Kentucky Wildcats, 13-0, RPI 1, LW: 1

Louisville was probably their last chance to lose a game until the SEC Tournament. It doesn't look like anyone in the SEC will be able to hang within 10 points of these guys.

T-2. Arkansas Razorbacks, 10-2, RPI 23, LW: T-2

The Hogs have their last tune up game this Saturday against Utah Valley. It's the last time for Coach Mike Anderson to play with his rotations before conference play. Unfortunately, the Hogs have to open their SEC schedule with probably the second or third toughest conference game they will play all season at Georgia. A win at Georgia, even with 17 conference games left to play, sets up the Hogs to finish second overall in the SEC. Obviously, barring an injury to Bobby Portis.

T-2. LSU Tigers, 10-2, RPI 18, LW: T-2

The Bayou Bengals also have one tune up game left before they get into league play, with Savannah St on Saturday. Unlike Arkansas, LSU gets to open up league play with an easier road game at Missouri.

4. Georgia Bulldogs, 7-3, RPI 17, LW: 4

They aren't going to be able to coast into conference play like the teams above them. They have a big game tonight at Kansas St. It looks like holding onto Mark Fox this long is finally starting to pay off for the UGA athletic department.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide, 9-3, RPI 35, LW: 5

I'm thoroughly impressed with what these top five teams have done in the SEC so far. As of now, they would all be in the NCAA Tournament if it started today. If they finish like this in the final SEC standings, they will all be dancing in March. With a nice win over UCLA over the weekend, Alabama just has North Florida left before conference play starts for them.

6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 8-3, RPI 105, LW: 6

Their RPI dropped 20 spots after a win over RPI 334 North Carolina A&T. I'm not going to punish them for the win, but the NCAA Selection Committee would.

7. Tennessee Volunteers, 7-4, RPI 87, LW: 8

They move up not because of last week's win over Tennessee St., but because of the Gators' epic fail. More on that in a moment.

8. Texas A&M Aggies, 8-3, RPI 57, LW: 9

Highly likely they start SEC play 0-2 as they have to travel to Alabama and host Kentucky.

9. Ole Miss Rebels, 8-4, RPI 67, LW: 10

They will be the first victims of Kentucky once SEC play starts.

10. FLOLrida Gators, 7-5, RPI 112, LW: 8

You gotta see this if you haven't already.

11. Vanderbilt Commodores, 7-3, RPI 107, LW: 11

Their last non-conference game is at Saint Louis University, who lost by 25 points to Mississippi State earlier this year.

12. Auburn Tigers, 7-5, RPI 103, LW: 12

The Tigers get to ease into their SEC schedule, going to Nashville and hosting Missouri. They may end up thinking they are better than they actually are, if they start out 2-0.

REALLY BAD: Missouri Tigers,  5-7, RPI 156, LW: Last

Currently riding a three-game losing streak, the Tigers hope to beat Lipscomb in their last non-conference game. That's before they open SEC play with a 20-point loss at LSU.

DUMPSTER FIRE: Mississippi State Bulldogs, 6-6, RPI 214, LW: REALLY BAD

Losers of six of their last seven, they very well could go 0-18 in SEC play. I really like Rick Ray, but this is just sad.