Updated SEC Basketball Standings; plus mid-week schedule

Current SEC standings WITH tie-breakers for SEC Tournament:

Kentucky 10-4
South Carolina 9-5
LSU 9-5
Texas A&M 9-5
Vanderbilt 8-6
Florida 8-6
Ole Miss 7-7
Georgia 7-7
Alabama 7-7
Arkansas 6-8
Tennessee 6-8
Mississippi State 5-9
Auburn 4-10
Missouri 3-11*

***Ineligible for postseason play




[b]Tuesday
Alabama @ Kentucky, 6:00, ESPN
LSU @ Arkansas, 6:00, espnU
Vanderbilt @ Florida, 6:00, SEC Network
Missouri @ Ole Miss, 8:00, SEC Network

Wednesday
Georgia @ Auburn, 6:00, SEC Network
Mississippi State @ Texas A&M, ESPN2
Tennessee @ South Carolina, 8:00, SEC Network



Well, this weekend certainly threw a wrench into things. The race for the regular season conference title is absolutely wide open as we head into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Texas A&M secured a huge home win over Kentucky, putting them in a position to potentially share the conference title if they can win their four remaining games. However, nothing can be assumed at this point. It seems every team in this conference is a bit bipolar. Regardless, this win will likely jump A&M up a seed line or two in the eyes of the tournament committee. Despite their recent 5-game conference losing streak, I really think this is a very solid team. They have a handful of good players, plus some depth. I don't think you should count on too many SEC teams playing into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, but the Aggies have as good a shot as anyone.

Despite Kentucky's loss, they still hold on to sole possession of first place in the conference. As mentioned before, the A&M game was just the first of a very tough stretch to end the season for the Wildcats. I think most would agree that they are the class of the conference, even with their loss Saturday. However, with their struggles on the road in conference (join the club), there is a very realistic chance for a team like Texas A&M or South Carolina to finish strong and share the conference title with them; or even win it outright.

South Carolina got a big win Saturday to stop a mini two-game losing streak, and now has themselves back within a game of first place. The Gamecocks need another home win this week, before finishing the season with two of their final three on the road. Obviously, capping off the regular season with their first conference title in nearly 20 years would be amazing, but I think even a 2-2 finish would have South Carolina dancing, regardless of their performance in the SEC Tournament; and I think that is the most important thing in the minds of Gamecock fans right now.

For Florida, the loss Saturday was tough, only because that would have been a great win for the Gators. But they're still perfectly fine. Losing to pretty much anyone on the road in this conference is expected, it seems, at this point. The next three games won't be easy for Florida, but if they can get a win at home against Vandy, they should feel very confident about their NCAA Tournament hopes. The only problem is that Vandy needs that win just as badly.

Vanderbilt, as mentioned, is in a position where they need pretty much every win. As I said before, I think if they can beat Florida on the road, then come home and upset Kentucky, they would be in the field (at that point). They could afford a loss in their season finale in College Station, but they'd have to get some wins in the SEC Tournament. To me, Vandy/Florida is the biggest game to watch of the games this Tuesday and Wednesday.

LSU's latest loss has officially put them on the outside looking in on the NCAA Tournament field. Not only that, the Tigers are in danger of falling outside the top 4 seeds in the SEC Tournament. Yes, LSU still controls their own destiny to win the conference, but that seems pretty unrealistic at this point. Most LSU fans would have told you that they expected a 1-1 stretch against Tennessee and Arkansas. Well, now the pressure is on. LSU pretty much needs to win their next three before taking a loss in Lexington, grab a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament, and then get two wins over top-50 RPI teams in Nashville. That would put their RPI around the mid-60s, which would likely still have LSU squarely on the bubble.

Mississippi State proved those of us in this thread right when they pulled off the upset of Alabama on Saturday. Frankly, they're a team that I think many teams would like to avoid right now. Their next two games? Texas A&M and South Carolina. The Dawgs could play spoiler here down the stretch for some teams at the top of the conference race.

Maybe the Mississippi State loss was the result of a perfect letdown spot for Alabama. Nevertheless, now the Tide have a little work to do again. I said before that I thought a 3-2 regular season finish would be enough for them to feel comfortable about their NCAA Tournament chances. Now, if they finish the regular season 2-2 (2 home, 2 road), they'd probably have to get a win or two (depending on their seed) in Nashville.

Georgia's loss means they pretty much have to win the SEC Tournament in order to get into the field. Ole Miss, and the rest of the conference, still sits in the same boat.