NCAA Basketball: Houston rises, Duke, Arizona, UConn and Baylor fall in latest top-25 power rankings

20. South Carolina Gamecocks - 22-5 (10-4 SEC)

Just a couple of weeks ago, South Carolina was at the top of the SEC standings. But after a 30+ point loss to Auburn and a surprise home defeat to LSU, the narrative started to go against them a bit. They only had one game this past week but it was an important one, on the road at Ole Miss.

The Rebels are squarely on the bubble, despite going unbeaten through the non-con portion of the schedule. So they needed this game to get on the right side of the bubble. However, the Gamecocks made sure that it wouldn’t be a third loss. 

South Carolina gave up just 22 points in the first half to be up 14, ultimately coasting to a 72-59 win. BJ Mack led the way with 17 points, while Zackary Davis chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds. Ta’Lon Cooper, who quietly has been one of the best all-around players in the SEC, finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

The Gamecocks remain in the mix for the SEC regular-season title but compared to the other contenders, may have the toughest remaining schedule left. The next two games include a road trip to College Station to take on Texas A&M, followed by a home battle with the surging Florida Gators.