SEC Basketball: Latest power rankings after Big 12/SEC Challenge results

5. Arkansas

Arkansas has had what many would call a disappointing season to this point, but it isn’t really anyone’s fault. In the preseason, many argued that this would be Eric Musselman’s best roster. He just hasn’t had that roster. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that Musselman wouldn’t have Nick Smith or Trevon Brazille in the heart of their season, I would’ve said they were a bubble team. They’re not, however, and they’re not even close. The bottom line is that Arkansas would be favored against all the teams below them on a neutral floor and they have looked better over the last eight days.

4. Texas A&M

Texas A&M went down in a thriller last year in the NIT Championship and it certainly sparked some intrigue for this season considering the players they returned. The Aggies played badly early and their resumé won’t agree with this ranking, but over the last month of the season, Texas A&M is ranked 6th on Torvik. Watch out for this team as they slowly start to creep off of the bubble and into the field. This is still a team that can win multiple tournament games.

3. Kentucky

Possibly the most controversial ranking of a team on this list, but Kentucky has clearly turned a corner. The Cats have found a lineup that works very well together and they very well might ride that lineup until teams figure out how to counter it. Talent-wise, you could argue they are still the most talented team in the conference, and the way their schedule is lining up, watch out for them to start another four-game winning streak.

2. Alabama

At this very moment in time, Alabama is not a better team than Tennessee. NCAA Tournament outlooks are an entirely different story, but this ranking is more about the way that Tennessee has been playing instead of the way Alabama is playing. The loss to Oklahoma actually shouldn’t bother a ton of people. It was a road game against an out-of-conference opponent with an elite coach. Alabama is still very clearly a top-two team in the conference and they very likely will be either a one or two-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

1. Tennessee

There’s no denying it at the moment. Tennessee is the number one team in KenPom and they’ve been the best team in basketball over the last month. Their defense is one of the best perimeter defenses that this sport has ever seen and while they are due for some regression in that aspect, it hasn’t come yet.

The Volunteers’ only matchup against Alabama will come on February 15th in Knoxville and the winner will very likely get at least a share of the SEC regular season title.