SEC Power Rankings: Conference Battles Heat Up Ahead of March Madness

FORT SMITH, Ark. — As the grueling conference slate wraps up, SEC teams are only weeks away from facing opponents outside their challenging league. With one regular season game and the conference tournament remaining, excitement is building as teams prepare for March Madness.

This week’s SEC Power Rankings reflect the teams’ standings and their potential to secure a national title. After games played through Wednesday, March 6, here’s how the teams rank:

1. Alabama: Record 27-3, 15-2. Alabama holds the top spot with impressive victories over both of its Iron Bowl rivals. The team is poised for a deep tournament run.

2. Tennessee: Record 26-4, 13-4. Despite finishing fourth in the conference, the Volunteers maintain a one-seed ranking this March, defying expectations.

3. Arkansas: Record 24-6, 11-6. Following losses to Tennessee and Florida, Arkansas enters its season finale against Auburn seeking to rebound after struggling against top teams.

4. Florida: Record 23-7, 12-5. The Gators aim to leave behind a four-game losing streak, achieving a vital win over Auburn that might fortify their championship aspirations.

5. Auburn: Record 21-9, 10-7. Recent struggles, with a 4-6 record in their last ten games, have sparked concerns going into postseason play.

6. Mississippi State: Record 21-9, 10-7. Despite successes, the team is navigating a challenging season with injuries impacting their performance.

7. Texas A&M: Record 20-10, 9-8. With notable wins over Tennessee and Alabama, Texas A&M is searching for its hidden potential as the tournament approaches.

8. Vanderbilt: Record 20-10, 8-9. The Commodores’ roller-coaster season continues as they aim to capitalize on recent momentum.

9. South Carolina: Record 18-12, 7-10. Despite a tough season, winning against Arkansas provided the Gamecocks with a much-needed boost ahead of the postseason.

10. LSU: Record 20-10, 8-9. The Tigers aim to solidify their NCAA tournament position with three consecutive wins.

11. Oklahoma: Record 19-11, 7-10. The Sooners are seen as a fascinating bubble team, maintaining hopes of securing a tournament invitation.

12. Texas: Record 18-12, 5-12. The Longhorns’ early victory over Mississippi State showcased their potential, but inconsistencies have hindered their progress.

13. Georgia: Record 17-13, 6-11. A recent four-game losing streak has added to a disappointing season, leaving the Bulldogs looking for closure.

14. Missouri: Record 14-16, 3-14. Featuring standout Collin Murray-Boyles, the team remains perplexingly low in the conference standings.

15. Kentucky: Record 12-18, 2-15. Facing a lackluster season, the Wildcats are striving for a turnaround before tournament play begins.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball, and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at [email protected] or followed on X, formerly known as Twitter.