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SEC Basketball power rankings: LSU remains on top, Ole Miss falls far down

By Curtis Wilkerson

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Emmitt Williams #24 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a basket from the bench against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Emmitt Williams #24 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a basket from the bench against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN, AL – FEBRUARY 01: J’Von McCormick #5 reacts with teammates Samir Doughty #10, Isaac Okoro #23 and Anfernee McLemore #24 of the Auburn Tigers (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – FEBRUARY 01: J’Von McCormick #5 reacts with teammates Samir Doughty #10, Isaac Okoro #23 and Anfernee McLemore #24 of the Auburn Tigers (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

#2. Auburn Tigers 19-2 (6-2 SEC)

NET: 19 | KenPom: 33 | BPI: 21

Just as soon as Auburn drops a couple of road games and we start to question how good they are, the Tigers respond by erasing a huge deficit to come from behind and beat Ole Miss and follow that up by knocking off Kentucky in a big-time showdown Saturday.

Bruce Pearl’s Tigers got off to a 15-0 start before being crushed in back to back road games at Alabama and Florida.  There were no lingering effects as Auburn won four straight and have climbed back to #11 in the latest AP Top-25 poll.

While the Tigers may not be as lethal from beyond the arc as last year’s Final Four team, they have a potent and balanced scoring attack with five guys capable of leading the charge on any given night.

Samir Doughty leads the way with 15.1 points per game followed by future NBA draft pick Isaac Okoro with 13.  Austin Wiley patrols the paint, averaging 10 points and 9 rebounds per contest.

This is a big week for Auburn, who could rise to the top of our next rankings or see their stock drop.  They travel to Fayetteville to take on a good Arkansas team Saturday and then welcome undefeated LSU to town on Saturday.

#1. LSU Tigers 17-4 (8-0 SEC)

NET: 22 | KenPom: 32 | BPI: 24

LSU has not lost a game since December 21st and have a two-game cushion in the SEC race.  The TIgers have been playing with fire during that stretch, winning six of those games by four points or less.

However, a win is a win no matter how you get it and LSU can close games with the best of them.  Last week, LSU came away with comfortable wins over Alabama and Ole Miss.

Skylar Mays and Javonte Smart pace the back-court while the three-headed monster of Emmitt Williams, Darius Days, and freshman sensation Trendon Watford wreak havoc in the paint with their length and strength.

LSU has steamrolled through the first half of conference play, but they will be certainly be challenged down the stretch.  A big game looms over the weekend at Auburn.

Next. Top 25 Power Rankings. dark

It is a big week in the SEC and there is the possibility that several teams will make significant moves north or south in the power rankings.  When it is all said and done, expect the SEC to be a three-horse race with LSU, Auburn, and Kentucky battling for the league crown.  After that, the most exciting thing to track will be seeing how the next six or seven teams jockey for position for what is likely to be only two or three available NCAA Tournament bids.

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