Busting Brackets
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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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Head Coach Will Wade of the LSU Tigers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Head Coach Will Wade of the LSU Tigers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

9-0. . Tigers . 3. team. 529.

LSU is the only undefeated team left in the SEC and one of only seven remaining across the country.

The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the league before the season-ending injury of Illinois transfer Adam Miller, who was expected to bring significant scoring from one of the backcourt positions. Despite that setback, LSU has started the season 9-0 with an impressive 30-point win over Belmont, neutral site wins over Penn State and Wake Forest, and a road win over Georgia Tech.

LSU has an average national rank of No. 13 in offensive efficiency over Will Wade’s first four seasons in Baton Rouge. They have an average rank of No. 98 in defensive efficiency. This year’s team ranks No. 42 offensively and No. 2 defensively—not a typical Will Wade-coached LSU team.

Four of the top five players nationally in defensive rating play for LSU, led by Cincinnati transfer Tari Eason who has put together an early case for both SEC and National Defensive Player of the Year. Eason ranks No. 1 nationally in defensive rating, No. 7 in defensive box +/-, and is one of three players averaging at least 1.8 steals per game and 1.6 blocks per game. Oh, and by the way, he also leads LSU in scoring and is second in rebounding with 15.6 PPG and 7.7 RPG.

Senior F Darius Days averaged 24.3 PPG over his first three games but have hit a cold streak over the last six games, averaging just 10.0 PPG. LSU will need his scoring to win the SEC and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers are ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25 but are No. 13 in KenPom, No. 8 on EvanMiya.com, and No. 3 in the NET.

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