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SEC Basketball power rankings: Alabama rises, Kentucky and Arkansas drops

By Cooper Watson

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Robert Morris Colonials at Rupp Arena on November 12, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Robert Morris Colonials at Rupp Arena on November 12, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
SEC Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

. 9-1. . Razorbacks . 6. team. 524

Arkansas is 9-1 and peaked at No. 10 in the AP Top 25 two weeks ago. That said, they got blown out by Oklahoma in their first real test of the season this past Saturday. The Razorbacks shot 7-24 from three in the game, highlighting season-long 3-point shooting struggles that they had previously been able to overcome against weaker competition.

JD Notae has been phenomenal to start the season, averaging 18.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.4 APG. Notae also ranks fifth in the country with 2.9 steals per game. Pittsburgh transfer Au’Diese Toney has also been terrific, averaging 12.4 PPG and 6.6 RPG on 70.6% shooting, a top 15 mark in the country.

Arkansas actually ranks eighth in the SEC according to the NET and seventh according to KenPom, but I will give Eric Musselman and co. the benefit of the doubt in these early-season power rankings considering the system’s proven success with an Elite Eight appearance last season.

The Razorbacks are clearly an NCAA Tournament team, but their preseason status as a legitimate Top 25 team that will compete to win the SEC is in doubt just a month into the season.

Arkansas should win their next two matchups against Hofstra and Elon before jumping into SEC play with a trip to ‘Starkvegas’ to take on Mississippi State—their next true test following the loss to Oklahoma.

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