NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 tumbles in latest conference rankings

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks laughs after he was called for a foul during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks won 68-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks laughs after he was called for a foul during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks won 68-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The SEC had a resurgence last year, but the big question was could they continue it into this year. So far the answer is yes.

Kentucky is still a top ten team even though they have not looked like the dominant force we thought they would and Tennessee and Auburn are playing very well and in the top 10. Three teams in the top ten will get you high praise in these rankings. Add in Mississippi State who checks in at 22 and the SEC is showing that they are one of the better conferences in the country this year.

Arkansas has also surprised and had a big win over Indiana a couple weeks ago. They were not expected to do much and no look like they could be a top half team in the league. LSU, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt only have two losses each and look like they should be pretty good also.

The disappointment of the league so far has been Alabama, who was a tournament team last year and looked like they could make some noise again this year. But losses to Northeastern, UCF and Georgia State looks like they are more of a pretender.

The bottom of the league has some below average teams, but the top has impressed more than the other conferences below them. They have climbed to number three but this may be the ceiling unless the middle of the road teams pick it up. The Big Ten and ACC are just deeper this year and right now there is a wide gap between them and the SEC.