1. Kentucky (22-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference)
The No. 4 Wildcats pounced on the struggling Tigers Saturday night in Baton Rouge, routing LSU 81-55. Although the Tigers held freshman phenom John Wall to a season-low six points, LSU was no match for the Kentucky’s aggressive rebounding and play in the paint.
2. Vanderbilt (17-5, 6-2)
The No. 18 Commodores fell short in Athens Saturday night, as Vanderbilt’s defense struggled in the second half. Holding a slim three-point lead at halftime, the Commodores were unable to outlast the Bulldog’s timely and composed shooting late in the game. Vanderbilt will host instate rival Tennessee at home Tuesday night.
3. Tennessee (18-4, 6-2)
The Volunteers gave fans in Knoxville a show on Saturday, as they trounced the visiting Gamecocks 79-53. Senior Wayne Chism scored a career-high 30 points, leading Tennessee’s charge. Since losing to Vanderbilt on Jan. 27, the Volunteers have won three consecutive games and travel to Commodore nation Tuesday night.
4. Florida (17-6, 6-3)
Despite a late game run by the Bulldogs, the Gators edged Mississippi State at home on Saturday. The Bulldogs cut a 12-point Florida lead to four with 22.4 seconds remaining in the game. However, the Gators were able to hold on, beating the Bulldogs 69-62.
5. Ole Miss (17-6. 5-4)
Finding themselves down by 20 at the half, the Rebels needed a stellar second half performance for a shot at a comeback against Alabama. Shooting 60 percent from the field in the second half, that’s just what Ole Miss got. The Rebels’ 74-67 victory over the Crimson Tide snapped the team’s two-game losing streak.
6. Mississippi State (16-7, 4-4)
The Bulldogs have fell short in back-to-back games, dropping contests to Vanderbilt and Florida in the past week. Ravern Johnson’s 20-point performance against the Gators was not enough to lift the Bulldogs over Florida on Saturday. The Bulldogs are set to begin their three-game homestand, as they host instate rival Ole Miss on Thursday.
7. Arkansas (12-11, 5-3)
Sitting atop the SEC West, the Razorbacks have won their last four games. Arkansas needed overtime and an outstanding performance from sophomore Courtney Fortson to edge Auburn 82-79. Fortson scored 10 of the Razorbacks’ 15 points in overtime.
8. South Carolina (13-9, 4-4)
Senior Devan Downey’s 26-point performance was not enough to help the Gamecocks escape a large deficit late in the game against Tennessee. Shooting a dismal 27.6 percent from the field, South Carolina was no match for the Volunteers’ aggressive play in the paint.
9. Alabama (13-10, 3-6)
The Crimson Tide was unable to preserve a 20-point halftime lead over the Rebels, as Alabama failed to halt a second-half rally by Ole Miss. The Tide could have used the confidence boost, as they travel to Lexington this week to face the formidable Wildcats.
10. Georgia (10-11, 2-6)
The Bulldogs turned in an impressive second half performance against the Commodores on Saturday night, earning the team a 72-58 victory in Athens. Snapping a three-game losing streak, Georgia earned its second conference win. The Bulldogs travel to Auburn on Tuesday to face the Tide.
11. Auburn (11-12, 2-6)
Auburn’s efforts came up short on Saturday, as the Tigers were unable to edge the Razorbacks after sending the game into overtime. Frankie Sullivan and Tay Waller each scored 18 for Auburn, however, Sullivan’s half-court shot to send the game into double overtime rimmed out, ending the game and the Tigers’ hopes for a win.
12. LSU (9-14, 0-9)
Still looking for their first conference victory of the season, the Tigers jumped out to an early 6-1 lead over the Wildcats. However, LSU was unable to combat Kentucky’s aggressive play throughout the duration of the game. The Wildcats turned in another impressive performance, beating the Tigers, 81-55.
