03. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky is undefeated and currently has the top offense in the country so far this season, averaging nearly 97 points per game. The Wildcats have scored 100 or more points in four of seven games.
The Wildcats haven’t played a P5 opponent since beating Duke in the Champions Classic, but Kentucky hasn’t done anything to drop in the rankings. Kentucky has won all of its games against mid-major opponents by at least 19 points. Kentucky has only made 15 threes over its past two games, but the Wildcats are still averaging 11 made threes per game.
The lack of P5 games is the only thing holding Kentucky back in the rankings. Kentucky will have a couple of tough games this week, taking on Clemson on the road before hosting Gonzaga. This will be the toughest stretch of the non-con slate for the Wildcats, but Kentucky has looked every part of an elite team so far this season.
02. Tennessee Volunteers
Few teams have been as dominant as Tennessee this season. The Volunteers have won every game this year by at least 15 points and have held every team they’ve faced to under 70 points. Tennessee is holding opponents to 54.7 points per game and only allowing teams to make 33.6 percent from the floor.
These defensive numbers haven’t only been against mid-major schools. Tennessee has beat Louisville, Virginia, and Baylor by 22 points or more this season, allowing 53 points per game over those three games. The offense has been incredibly efficient as well this season, averaging nearly 82 points per game while making 52 percent from the floor.
Each game I start to like this Tennessee team more and more. The Volunteers can score from anywhere on the court and can shut down any defense. If Tennessee can keep up this pace, I have a hard time thinking there is another team better in the SEC.
01. Auburn Tigers
Auburn has a case to be not only the top team in the SEC but also the country. The Tigers have wins over Houston, Iowa State, UNC, and Memphis this year. With the last three coming last week to win the Maui Invitational.
Johni Broome has, arguably, been the best player in college basketball averaging 20.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks this season, leading four other Auburn players who are averaging double-figure points.
So far this season, Auburn hasn’t had a weak part of its game. The offense has been efficient, making 52.5 percent from the floor (nearly 66 percent from two). The Tigers are making nearly 10 threes per game. All while holding opponents to 66.6 points per game and limiting teams to 40 percent from the floor. Auburn has been the only other team to be as dominant as Tennessee, but the gap for the top team in the SEC is quickly shrinking.