A week ago, I provided an early assessment of which teams were likely contenders for the SEC Basketball Regular Season Championship. The 16 teams were categorized into Contenders, Maybe Contenders, Longshots, and a group of stragglers dubbed “Forget About It.”
Initially, there were six Contenders, but after the games on January 25, that number has reduced to four. Conversely, the Maybe Contenders group has expanded from three to five. The Longshots group remains at two, but with different teams than before, while the Forget About It category still includes five teams, though not the same ones.
These groupings are subjective but are informed by rankings from five computer models: NCAA NET, ESPN’s BPI, KPI, and the ratings by Ken Pomeroy and Evan Miya. Each SEC team’s average ranking is considered through the games played on January 25.
SEC Basketball Regular Season Contenders
- Auburn Tigers (18-1, 6-0 in SEC play): Averaging a national ranking of No. 2, the Tigers have proven formidable. Despite a controversial non-call on Johni Broome, as described by Jay Bilas, Auburn remains one of the top teams in the nation.
- Alabama Crimson Tide (17-3, 6-1): Averaging a national ranking of No. 6, Alabama has occasionally struggled with focus against lesser opponents. Coach Nate Oats recognizes the need for consistent intensity, particularly during tournament season. When at their best, the Crimson Tide can compete with the nation’s elite.
With these insights, it will be interesting to see how the SEC Basketball Regular Season Championship race continues to unfold.
