As the SEC basketball regular season progresses, it’s becoming clearer which teams are in the hunt for the coveted title, with only four teams currently standing as true contenders.
Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee are the top contenders, and the race is heating up with the season barely halfway through. Auburn (18-1, 6-0 SEC) is in the lead with an average national ranking of No. 2, having benefited from some lucky breaks but still appearing as one of the most formidable teams in the nation. Alabama (17-3, 6-1 SEC), ranked No. 6, has shown potential but has occasionally struggled against lower-ranked teams, an issue that will need to be addressed if they’re to make a deep run in the postseason.
Florida (18-2, 5-2 SEC) also enters the race with a national ranking of No. 6, despite facing a challenging upcoming schedule that will put their title hopes to the test. They’re hoping to split their next four tough road games, which could determine their future as a true contender. Meanwhile, Tennessee (17-3, 4-3 SEC), ranked No. 6, remains in the hunt despite recent struggles, including two narrow losses in their last three games. Their next series of home games, including matchups with Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri, will be crucial to determining their place in the standings.
In the “Maybe Contenders” category, teams like Texas A&M, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Missouri are still clinging to the hope of challenging for the title. Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) is showing promise but still needs consistency. Kentucky (14-5, 3-3 SEC) has injury issues, and Ole Miss (15-5, 4-3 SEC) has lost steam after an early upset win over Alabama. Mississippi State (16-4, 4-3 SEC) has two key home games ahead, while Missouri (16-4, 5-2 SEC) is still in the race but faces a tough schedule ahead.
On the other hand, several teams have already fallen out of contention. Texas (14-6, 3-4 SEC) and Vanderbilt (16-4, 4-3 SEC) remain hopeful, but they face significant challenges in maintaining momentum. The bottom five teams in the standings—Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, and South Carolina—are essentially out of the race for the championship, though they could still cause upsets.
As the season unfolds, it will be crucial for these top teams to stay consistent and avoid slipping up against underdog teams, as the margin for error grows thinner. The SEC basketball race is shaping up to be a thrilling battle between the remaining contenders.