SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Texas A&M on the rise

Tennessee takes care of business at Rupp to maintain the top spot.

SEC basketball has become elite over the last several years. Much to the chagrin of Big Blue Nation, it's no longer the league of Kentucky and everyone else. Tennessee traveled to Rupp Arena Saturday and handed the Wildcats their second consecutive home loss and third of this season. Not only did the Cats lose, but it's the first time ever they have lost back-to-back games at Rupp when scoring 90+ points. The win secured Tennessee's hold on the atop our power rankings this week.

Alabama comes in at second after taking care of business against Georgia and Mississippi State, while the Auburn Tigers defeated Vanderbilt and got a big road win at Ole Miss Saturday night to round out the top three spots. South Carolina finished off a big week of conference play, taking down Tennessee and Georgia and sliding into the fourth spot. The complete rankings are below:

There is an excellent slate of conference action this week, with Ole Miss at South Carolina Tuesday night, Auburn hosting Alabama Wednesday night, and Tennessee at Texas A&M Saturday night. 

SEC POWER RANKINGS

1. Tennessee 16-5 (6-2) - Last week lost at South Carolina and won at Kentucky

2. Alabama 16-6 (8-1) - Last week defeated Georgia and Mississippi State

3. Auburn 18-4 (7-2) - Last week beat Vanderbilt and Ole Miss

4. South Carolina 19-3 (7-2) - Last week defeated Tennessee and Georgia

5. Kentucky 15-6 (5-4) - Last week lost to Florida and Tennessee

6. Ole Miss 18-4 (5-4) - Last week beat Mississippi State and lost to Auburn

7. Florida 15-7 (5-4) - Last week beat Kentucky and lost at Texas A&M

8. Texas A&M 13-8 (4-4) - Last week lost to Ole Miss and defeated Florida

9. Georgia 14-8 (4-5) - Last week lost to Alabama and South Carolina

10. Mississippi State 14-8 (3-6) - Last week lost to Ole Miss and Alabama

11. LSU 12-9 (4-4) - Last week lost at Alabama and beat Arkansas

12. Arkansas 11-11 (2-7) - Last week won at Missouri and lost at LSU

13. Vanderbilt 6-15 (1-7) - Last week lost at Auburn and defeated Missouri

14. Missouri 8-14 (0-9) - Last week lost to Arkansas and at Vanderbilt