1. Kentucky Wildcats, 23-0 (10-0), RPI 2, LW: 1
Tonight, they play a bipolar LSU team in Baton Rouge. After that, their game at Georgia is their most likely game to lose. Of course, Arkansas will get their shot on the 28th.
2. Arkansas Razorbacks, 18-5 (7-3), RPI 24, LW: 2
I really hate the next four games of Arkansas schedule. They have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Auburn, Missouri and Mississippi State are the three teams in the conference a team absolutely cannot lose to. In the middle ot that, they play Ole Miss in Oxford, where they have historically struggled. Despite what people want to argue, Ole Miss is not a bad team, or a bad loss. Obviously, it would be best to avoid being swept by the Rebels. but Arkansas swept Kentucky last season. That didn't keep Kentucky out of the tournament, or from making a run in the tournament.
3. Georgia Bulldogs, 15-7 (6-4), RPI 25, LW: 3
Shoutout to whoever made the Bulldogs schedule. To be 15-7, but be in the top 25 of the RPI means you clearly have the formula figured out. Remember, the NCAA Selection Committee doesn't use KenPom or BPI. Credit to the Bulldogs for finding a way to beat the system, despite only having one RPI top 50 win.
4. Ole Miss Rebels, 16-7 (7-3), RPI 37, LW: 6
They could be peaking a little to early, but they are certainly hot right now. Winners of six of their last seven, including wins at Arkansas, Florida, and Texas A&M, maybe they have finally found some consistency. However, their SEC schedule it back loaded. They still go to Gainesville and Baton Rouge, and host Arkansas and Georgia.
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 16-6 (7-3), RPI 35, LW: 4
Historically, 35 is the magic RPI number at team needs to be to guarantee an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. I cannot imagine A&M getting a bid right now. They have no RPI top 50 wins and only three RPI top 100 wins. I can't see them making the Tournament without winning out, because they drastically need quality wins.
6. LSU Tigers, 17-6 (6-4), RPI 52, LW: 5
No way around it, they are patient zero for #SECBasketballFever. After losing to Missouri and Mississippi State, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they beat Kentucky tonight.
7. Florida Gators, 12-11 (5-5), RPI 65, LW: 8
Normally, a team doesn't lose two games and move up, but they own the head-to-head tie breaker over Alabama. The Gators still have a chance to play their way into the NIT, if they want to accept the bid.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide, 13-9 (4-6), RPI 69, LW: 9
I like Anthony Grant, but I don't know how his job survives after this season. This will be the third straight season the Crimson Tide have missed the NCAA Tournament and they've only been once in his almost six seasons. But, Alabama deserves this after forcing out Mark Gottfried, who's made the NCAA Tournament every season he's been at NC State.
9. Tennessee Volunteers, 13-9 (5-5), RPI 84, LW: 7
They dropped two spots because they lost at home to Mississippi State. Never fear UT fans, spring practice is just around the corner.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores, 12-10 (3-7), RPI 101, LW: 11
Kevin Stallings is another interesting job security scenario. This will be the third season he hasn't made any type of post-season play. However, can Vandy get a better coach than him? Or are they holding onto that 2007 Sweet Sixteen run a little too much?
11. South Carolina Gamecocks, 10-11 (2-8), RPI 103, LW: 10
Besides Kentucky, USCe has the most RPI top 25 wins in the SEC with three.
12. Auburn Tigers, 10-12 (3-7), RPI 140, LW: 12
These guys make me nervous. They can do nothing but damage the league with their upsets at this point.
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 10-12 (4-6), RPI 165 LW: 13
They've already won more conference games than last season, and if they win one more, it will be the most conference wins in a season for Rick Ray while he's been at State.
14. Missouri Tigers, 6-16 (1-9), RPI 166, LW: 14
Clearly, they bit off more than they can chew with their schedule. They've played a league high 11 RPI top 50 teams and have zero wins against those teams.
