Fast Break: SEC Basketball Power Rankings

The Southeastern Conference opened conference action in men's basketball this past weekend. 

The conference appears as loaded as ever with two teams in the AP Poll top 10, Auburn ranked No. 16 and three more programs earned the "others receiving votes" distinction. 

Take a look at the KenPom analytics and the conference boasts four teams in the top 20 positions, giving credence that in the Southeastern Conference it really does mean more. 

Power Rankings - Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024

1. Tennessee (11-3, 1-0) 
2. Auburn (12-2, 1-0)
3. Kentucky (11-2, 1-0)
4. Alabama (9-5, 1-0)
5. Florida (10-4, 0-1)
6. Ole Miss (13-1, 0-1)
7. South Carolina (13-1, 1-0)
8. Mississippi State (11-3, 0-1)
9. LSU (9-5, 1-0)
10. Texas A&M (9-5, 0-1)
11. Arkansas (9-5, 0-1)
12. Georgia (11-3, 1-0)
13. Missouri (8-6, 0-1)
14. Vanderbilt (5-9, 0-1)

Sure, Kentucky has a better non-conference resume than the Auburn Tigers, but Bruce Pearl's squad gets the slight nod over the Wildcats due to a huge win in Bud Walton Arena over the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

The biggest surprise to this point in the season is the poor play of the Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies, both picked to finish in the top half of the league by the media and both have underwhelmed through the first portion of the schedule.

On the reverse-end of things the South Carolina Gamecocks were chosen to finish last in the conference this year, but opened up play with a nice home-victory over Mississippi State. While the non-conference schedule wasn't particularly challenging, a 13-1 start is to be commended for second-year head coach Lamont Parrish.

The conference continues action with mid-week play on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Alabama hosts South Carolina, Florida heads to Ole Miss and Arkansas takes on Georgia in the most interesting mid-week contests.