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Post-Thanksgiving tournaments Basketball Power Rankings Thread
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:38 pm
SEC is stacked this year. I genuinely don't see a team who will crash and burn in SEC play like we've seen over the past few years, so ranking the middle pack is harder than ever. Here goes:
1. Texas A&M (6-0): With blowout wins at USC and vs. WVU, it's hard not to rank them #1. They have one more tough game before SEC play, Arizona, and they could realistically go into SEC play undefeated. With their talent and experience in the frontcourt and an upgraded PG, this team will be in the mix for a 1 or 2 seed in March.
2. Florida (5-1): Couldn't close out against Duke, but I think everyone has been impressed by Florida's explosiveness and toughness out on the perimeter. Once Egbunu returns, Florida becomes an obvious Final Four candidate. Already with a signature win over Gonzaga, Florida has tough games against FSU and Cincinnati upcoming.
3. Arkansas (5-1): Also impressive in the PK80, beating an at-large team in Oklahoma and destroying UConn's hopes and dreams, Arkansas has a few tough games left (@Houston, Minnesota). This team won't be sweating on Selection Sunday.
4. Kentucky (6-1): While they lost the one high-profile game they've played so far, they've taken care of business against some tough mid-majors. I don't know how well this team will do early in SEC play, but obviously they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
5. Alabama (5-1): Playing 3v5 may have been what made headlines, but make no mistake, Minnesota was outclassing Alabama 5v5. This is an uber-athletic team that will look a bit inconsistent at times this year due to inexperience, and John Petty's injury looms over the program. But make no mistake, no one wants to face Collin Sexton in the last five minutes of a close game.
6. Tennessee (4-1): Looking way better than silly preseason projections, this tough UT team beat Purdue and NC State in the Bahamas and held their own with Villanova. Offensively this team isn't much, but their toughness and grit down low is unmatched.
7. Missouri (5-2): Collapsing late against WVU put a damper on what was a successful tourney for Mizzou. Most teams won't be able to pressure like WVU. Even without MPJ, it's clear this team will be fighting for a tourney bid.
8. Georgia (5-1): Another team who had a better-than-expected tourney, UGA won a true road game, lost in a close one to SDSU, and beat St Mary's in OT. Turtle Jackson has stepped up at PG in JJ's absence, and Crump showed flashes coming up big against St Mary's. If Maten gets consistent help this could be an at-large team.
9. Ole Miss (4-1): Another team that's lost its only high-profile game but has taken care of business against good mid-majors. This team can score in bunches, with a ton of shooting options. They need more out of their bigs, though.
10. South Carolina (4-1): Computer rankings really like them so far, and who knows, Martin may be able to get enough out of this team defensively to make a run at an at-large bid. They are one of the more limited teams in the conference offensively, though, which showed up in their loss to Illinois State.
11. Auburn (4-1): If they ever get Wiley back, they'll be higher. Right now they're similar to Ole Miss with less depth. Computer rankings do like them, though, and I won't count them out of getting into the at-large discussion
12. LSU (3-2): Surprising win over Michigan and then came back down to earth. Waters will shoot them into games that they'll have no business being in this year, and their frontcourt is solid, but they don't have the defense to compete consistently yet.
13. Mississippi State (5-0): Might not make a lot of sense to put one of the two undefeated teams second-to-last, but they haven't played anyone, and haven't looked impressive in their close wins over mid-majors.
14. Vanderbilt (2-4): I don't think Vandy is the worst team in the conference but they have to be here now. Their non-conference schedule doesn't get much easier either.
1. Texas A&M (6-0): With blowout wins at USC and vs. WVU, it's hard not to rank them #1. They have one more tough game before SEC play, Arizona, and they could realistically go into SEC play undefeated. With their talent and experience in the frontcourt and an upgraded PG, this team will be in the mix for a 1 or 2 seed in March.
2. Florida (5-1): Couldn't close out against Duke, but I think everyone has been impressed by Florida's explosiveness and toughness out on the perimeter. Once Egbunu returns, Florida becomes an obvious Final Four candidate. Already with a signature win over Gonzaga, Florida has tough games against FSU and Cincinnati upcoming.
3. Arkansas (5-1): Also impressive in the PK80, beating an at-large team in Oklahoma and destroying UConn's hopes and dreams, Arkansas has a few tough games left (@Houston, Minnesota). This team won't be sweating on Selection Sunday.
4. Kentucky (6-1): While they lost the one high-profile game they've played so far, they've taken care of business against some tough mid-majors. I don't know how well this team will do early in SEC play, but obviously they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
5. Alabama (5-1): Playing 3v5 may have been what made headlines, but make no mistake, Minnesota was outclassing Alabama 5v5. This is an uber-athletic team that will look a bit inconsistent at times this year due to inexperience, and John Petty's injury looms over the program. But make no mistake, no one wants to face Collin Sexton in the last five minutes of a close game.
6. Tennessee (4-1): Looking way better than silly preseason projections, this tough UT team beat Purdue and NC State in the Bahamas and held their own with Villanova. Offensively this team isn't much, but their toughness and grit down low is unmatched.
7. Missouri (5-2): Collapsing late against WVU put a damper on what was a successful tourney for Mizzou. Most teams won't be able to pressure like WVU. Even without MPJ, it's clear this team will be fighting for a tourney bid.
8. Georgia (5-1): Another team who had a better-than-expected tourney, UGA won a true road game, lost in a close one to SDSU, and beat St Mary's in OT. Turtle Jackson has stepped up at PG in JJ's absence, and Crump showed flashes coming up big against St Mary's. If Maten gets consistent help this could be an at-large team.
9. Ole Miss (4-1): Another team that's lost its only high-profile game but has taken care of business against good mid-majors. This team can score in bunches, with a ton of shooting options. They need more out of their bigs, though.
10. South Carolina (4-1): Computer rankings really like them so far, and who knows, Martin may be able to get enough out of this team defensively to make a run at an at-large bid. They are one of the more limited teams in the conference offensively, though, which showed up in their loss to Illinois State.
11. Auburn (4-1): If they ever get Wiley back, they'll be higher. Right now they're similar to Ole Miss with less depth. Computer rankings do like them, though, and I won't count them out of getting into the at-large discussion
12. LSU (3-2): Surprising win over Michigan and then came back down to earth. Waters will shoot them into games that they'll have no business being in this year, and their frontcourt is solid, but they don't have the defense to compete consistently yet.
13. Mississippi State (5-0): Might not make a lot of sense to put one of the two undefeated teams second-to-last, but they haven't played anyone, and haven't looked impressive in their close wins over mid-majors.
14. Vanderbilt (2-4): I don't think Vandy is the worst team in the conference but they have to be here now. Their non-conference schedule doesn't get much easier either.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:40 pm to GatorsGators
Pretty fair assessment, but make no mistake, people will take issue with it.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:41 pm to GatorsGators
Good take.
Petty is good to go, FYI.
Petty is good to go, FYI.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:41 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
1. Texas A&M (6-0):
[LSU Fan/tsip]Aggy too high, haven't played anyone, PAC 12, Big 12, and Big 10 are overrated, A7M, LOL at Aggy[/LSU fan/tsip]
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:44 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
7. Missouri (5-2):
Gotta agree. Man, frick WVU.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:44 pm to GatorsGators
Tennessee looking alot better than that last place projection.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:47 pm to GatorsGators
LSU should be higher.
They played 3 games in 3 days in Maui, lost a starter with a high-ankle sprain at the end of the Michigan game, were crushed by a very experienced Notre Dame, and lost by 10 to Marquette.
A lack of quality depth showed in those 3 days, but you normally play 2 games per week, so it shouldn't be much of a concern moving forward unless injuries pile up.
They played 3 games in 3 days in Maui, lost a starter with a high-ankle sprain at the end of the Michigan game, were crushed by a very experienced Notre Dame, and lost by 10 to Marquette.
A lack of quality depth showed in those 3 days, but you normally play 2 games per week, so it shouldn't be much of a concern moving forward unless injuries pile up.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:50 pm to rich4pres
quote:
Tennessee looking alot better than that last place projection.
I haven't seen everyone play of course but I've yet to see any of the SEC teams look like just overall crap.
Gonna be a fun fun conference schedule--- or so it seems!
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:51 pm to SummerOfGeorge
quote:Must've missed that, great news. Need his shooting
Petty is good to go, FYI.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:53 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
12. LSU (3-2): Surprising win over Michigan and then came back down to earth. Waters will shoot them into games that they'll have no business being in this year, and their frontcourt is solid, but they don't have the defense to compete consistently yet.
Sampson got hurt
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:57 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
3. Arkansas (5-1):
We lost to UNC...but I would have liked to have seen us play them with a day of rest in between. No excuses, they beat the Hogs fair and square. UNC had a laugher to open the PK80 with, while Arkansas used its legs in a win against Oklahoma.
I just don't like playing back to back days so early, especially with the way we play.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 2:59 pm to GatorsGators
Not bad. 3-5 are basically interchangable right now
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:03 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
. Mississippi State (5-0): Might not make a lot of sense to put one of the two undefeated teams second-to-last, but they haven't played anyone, and haven't looked impressive in their close wins over mid-majors.
Uh...we've played an NCAA tourney team, and a CIT team from last year already.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:06 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
Minnesota was outclassing Alabama 5v5.
They definitely did to start with, but I believe we were only down 7 when our bench was ejected. We were slowly coming back.
And Petty shouldn't be out long. Just a sprained ankle.
Don't get me wrong, I think having us at #5 is probably right.
This post was edited on 11/27/17 at 3:08 pm
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:06 pm to GatorsGators
quote:
12. LSU (3-2): Surprising win over Michigan and then came back down to earth. Waters will shoot them into games that they'll have no business being in this year, and their frontcourt is solid, but they don't have the defense to compete consistently yet.
Win over Michigan not surprising at all, Michigan is a mediocre team, so are we.
We lost Brandon Sampson at the start of the ND Disaster, would have had a much better shot of beating Marquette with him. We lost him for the next month so we might be screwed vs. some not so great teams. Without him our defense has been truly a disaster, not to mention his offense picked up tremendously vs. last season as well. We're a team that cant afford to lose even 1 difference maker.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:16 pm to pvilleguru
quote:
we were only down 7 when our bench was ejected.
And all they did was take a few steps on the floor right? I understand it's a rule but when you hear that all these folks got ejected I think something more than just being on the floor.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:20 pm to piggilicious
quote:
And all they did was take a few steps on the floor right
Yeah. None of them really got involved, although a Minnesota player threw a few punches.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:29 pm to pvilleguru
quote:
although a Minnesota player threw a few punches.
We got you.
Minnesota comes to The Bud in a couple weeks and we will run them out of the gym for you guys.
Posted on 11/27/17 at 3:57 pm to thunderbird1100
quote:
thunderbird1100
LSU is about the only team I haven't watched in the league this season. How is the new coach looking so far? Anything would be better than what you guys had.
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