Busting Brackets
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SEC Power Rankings: Kentucky slips, Tennessee takes top spot

By Dakota Cox

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) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: The Missouri Tigers mascot looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: The Missouri Tigers mascot looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

No. 10: Missouri Tigers

Last Week: 11th (↑ 1)

This season has ben written off in the eyes of most, mostly for the same reason that last year was written off for the Tigers. Last year, Michael Porter Jr.’s injury plagued the entire year for Missouri, but they were able to rise above it all due to Jontay Porter’s emergence as a star in the SEC. However, Jontay Porter’s injury this year might be the nail in Missouri’s coffin. While he is out, the Tigers are simply out of players named Porter.

Jontay was a contender to be the best returning SEC player this year. He’s definitely high on a lot of draft boards, and he uses his skills very well on the floor. Without him. Mizzou is left picking up a lot of pieces. Their rebounding numbers are bad, and their scoring is somehow worse. They simply are lacking that key offensive threat that opponents have to strategize around.

Another bizarre statistic for the Tigers is the fact that they have the best three-point percentage in the conference (39%) while also having one of the worst free-throw percentages (67%). Usually, those numbers go hand-in-hand. It is mostly because they are very selective with when they take shots from downtown. However, their lack of offensive output asks the question of whether or not they need to change their strategy to shoot more behind the line. 67 points a game is simply not going to cut it in the SEC.

The Tigers have three more games before they are tested against Tennessee in January. Hopes are high, but expectations should be low going into that game. The Tigers have done nothing to prove that they can contend with powerhouses like Tennessee.

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