The final week of the SEC regular season proved to be a thrilling one for college basketball fans as the top teams battled it out on the court. With five out of six SEC teams making up last week’s national polls going head-to-head, the competition was fierce and full of excitement.
No. 5 Tennessee (24-7, 14-4) secured the outright SEC regular season title with a win over South Carolina, putting an end to any potential five-way tie for the top spot. However, the Vols faced a setback with a loss to Kentucky, despite Dalton Knecht’s impressive performance, scoring 40 points in the game. This loss slightly affected their chances for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, although it was cushioned a bit by Arizona’s loss to USC.
Kentucky (28-8, 13-5) locked up the 2-seed in the SEC men’s basketball tournament with two wins against Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The Wildcats are on a five-game winning streak and are seeking their first conference tournament title since 2018.
South Carolina (25-6, 13-5) bounced back from their loss to Tennessee with a thrilling overtime victory against Mississippi State, setting program records with 25 regular season wins.
Auburn, Alabama, and Florida also made their mark by going 4-2 in the last week of the regular season. In particular, Alabama secured a double bye for the second consecutive season and the 3-seed over Auburn, after a hard-fought win against Arkansas.
So, where do these SEC teams stand in the updated College Basketball Rankings?
In the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the SEC teams are making their presence felt. Tennessee is positioned at No. 5, followed by Kentucky at No. 9 and South Carolina at No. 16. Meanwhile, in the AP Top 25 Poll, Tennessee is at No. 5, Kentucky is at No. 9, and South Carolina is at No. 15.
These rankings reflect the SEC’s strength in college basketball and set the stage for an exciting SEC men’s basketball tournament. As the competition heats up, fans can expect top-tier matchups and a display of exceptional talent on the court. March Madness is in full swing, and the SEC teams are poised to make their mark in the NCAA Tournament.
The college basketball rankings serve as a testament to the high level of competition within the SEC and set the stage for an exhilarating postseason. As the SEC men’s basketball tournament approaches, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable event. Stay tuned as the best of the best in college basketball vie for glory in the upcoming games.