Even though there are still some big games left in the non-conference season, I think we have a solid understanding of the conference, even though some teams are still enigmas.

1) Kentucky -- Malik Monk is terrific. They have what looks like the best offense in the country right now. Defense is still a concern, but when you can drop in 100+ points a night, you're going to win a lot of games, especially in the SEC, where most of the other best teams are defensively-oriented.

2) Florida -- The OOC has been somewhat of a mixed bag, beating Seton Hall and Miami, and losing to Gonzaga, Duke, and FSU (on the road). This team needs Kasey Hill to play more consistently, but even still, there's no reason that this team shouldn't win 11+ SEC games and get a Top 7 or so seed into the tournament with what's looking like a terrific computer resume.

3) South Carolina -- Probably would be ranked ahead of Florida if it weren't for the uncertainty behind Thornwell's suspension. This team plays elite defense, but Thornwell is South Carolina's best scorer and rebounder. With him, they're a tourney lock and possibly more. Without him, they're a solid, upper-half SEC team still, but it'd be a shame if they missed out on what could be a special season for South Carolina basketball because Thornwell messed up.

4) Texas A&M -- They're 1-3 in resume games, and they're going to have to do some uphill sledding to make themselves comfortable on Selection Sunday. They do have the best frontcourt in the conference (probably even considering Kentucky), and DJ Hogg has asserted himself as a leader. They are really hurting at guard, though, with Gilder being the only guy who really looks like he belongs at this level (sorry, JC Hampton). Regardless, this team not making the dance would be a disappointment.

5) Arkansas -- Better computer resume thus far than A&M, but I'm still skeptical; I don't think Houston is as good as the computers are saying they are (a seemingly mediocre LSU beat the shite out of them), and there's not a real quality win to be found elsewhere. They have avoided bad losses, and they should be tough at home, of course. They need their frontcourt to help them out a bit more; Kingsley playing like the SEC POY candidate that he was expected to be could elevate this team to a tourney bid.

6) Georgia -- The search for a third offensive option outside of Maten and Frazier continues. They're going to leave the non-conference schedule without a real quality win, but like Arkansas, they've avoided bad losses, and their computer profile looks like it will be good enough for a nice SEC run to get them a bid. The bad news: they play Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina twice in SEC play. It's going to be tough for them to even go 9-9 with their conference schedule.

7) Ole Miss -- I don't know how to feel about this team. On one hand, they can put up a bunch of points, and everyone they put on the court is a decent threat offensively. On the other hand, they've struggled defensively, and have thus struggled to put lesser teams away after having solid leads on them. On one hand, Sebastian Saiz has played like an SEC POY candidate. On the other hand, while Deandre Burnett is averaging over 20 PPG, he's doing it to a 44.6 EFG%, and that's not going to help them beat good teams. Good news is that they've avoided bad losses (Middle Tennessee isn't a bad loss, although it being as big of a blowout as it was was embarrassing). But they don't have a signature win (St. Joe's, UMass, and Memphis are decent enough teams, but none are likely tourney teams). They need a solid SEC run. They're likely an NIT team.

8) Tennessee -- It's been surprising how competitive they've been. Losing by a possession at North Carolina, going to overtime against Oregon, not getting blown out by Gonzaga. The tough schedule that they've played should help them out in conference play. If there's a sleeper right now in the conference, it's them. This team of mostly freshman will be a tough out by the end of this year, and next year they'll be up there in preseason conference predictions.

9) LSU -- Outside of their blowout win over Houston, this team has been thoroughly mediocre. Their saving grace looks to be their computer profile, with an OOC RPI projected to be in the 40s. Their only losses have been to solid teams (Wichita State and VCU). I expect this team to be inconsistent and am not sure if they'll even make the NIT, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that they could go 11-7 and get a bid to the big tournament. They're the biggest enigma of a team in the entire conference right now.

10) Vanderbilt -- Playing as tough of a schedule as they've played with a new coach is tough. They've been competitive with some really good teams like Butler and Minnesota, and have shat the bed against others like Marquette and Middle Tennessee. This team still has some terrific, NBA talent with Kornet and Fisher-Davis, and if they can find some consistency defensively, they could make some noise. I don't know that the tournament is within realistic range with their record, but it's not totally out of the question.

11) Auburn -- Another enigma. Beat a solid Texas Tech. Lost to a godawful Boston College. Beats Coastal Carolina by 45 points, scoring 117 points in the process. Needs a buzzer beater to beat a similar Mercer team a few nights later. They have potential, and their computer profile isn't terrible, but I don't feel comfortable putting this team any higher. Sliding into the NIT wouldn't shock me, but I wouldn't bet on it either.

12) Alabama -- They've taken a step back in Avery's second season. 0-5 against likely Top 200 teams so far. It would take a miracle of an SEC season for them to even get NIT consideration at this point. The cavalry is coming next year, so it would be wise for Alabama fans to not get emotionally invested this season.

13) Mississippi State -- They're not good, but they're mostly freshman. Could be decent by year's end and better next year.

14) Mizzou -- They're just not good. Not much nice to say about them right now.