With everyone turning their attention to recruiting this week, we’re a day behind with our usual RPI check of SEC basketball squads. The extra day hasn’t made much difference.
The Southeastern Conference still looks to be a three- or four-bid NCAA Tournament league to us. The conference’s #8 ranking in the RPI just doesn’t inspire confidence that the SEC will be rewarded come Selection Sunday. After all, while some other leagues have been getting six to nine bids in recent years, the SEC has consistently stayed in the three- to five-bid range since 2009. Mike Slive’s league last grabbed six invitations in 2008. So if the NCAA selection process has viewed the SEC as being so-so to sub-par in recent seasons, there’s no reason to believe this year will be any different.
Here are this week’s numbers:
| School | RPI | SEC Record | Div. I Record | Last Game |
| Florida | 3 | 8-0 | 18-2 | 78-64 W UM |
| Missouri | 34 | 5-3 | 16-5 | 91-77 W AUB |
| Ole Miss | 44 | 6-2 | 17-4 | 64-78 L @UF |
| Kentucky | 48 | 6-2 | 15-6 | 72-68 W @A&M |
| Alabama | 60 | 6-2 | 13-7 | 58-54 W @VU |
| Texas A&M | 78 | 3-5 | 13-8 | 68-72 L UK |
| Tennessee | 84 | 3-5 | 11-9 | 60-73 L @ARK |
| Arkansas | 104 | 4-4 | 13-8 | 73-60 W UT |
| LSU | 115 | 3-5 | 12-7 | 69-68 W @MSU |
| Georgia | 130 | 4-4 | 10-11 | 67-56 W @USC |
| Vanderbilt | 154 | 2-6 | 8-12 | 54-58 L ALA |
| S. Carolina | 200 | 2-6 | 12-9 | 56-67 L UGA |
| Auburn | 218 | 2-6 | 8-13 | 77-91 L @MU |
| Miss. State | 235 | 2-6 | 7-13 | 69-68 L LSU |
Streaking
Florida has won 10 games in a row and the Gators continue to hold each of their opponents below its scoring average. Meanwhile, Auburn and Mississippi State have both dropped six games in a row after getting out to 2-0 starts in league play.
MrSEC.com NCAA Tournament Projection as of 2/5/13
Florida would be a #1 seed if the tourney began today. Missouri, Ole Miss and Kentucky would get bids as all have RPI scores inside the top 50. Alabama at #60 would be pretty far back on the bubble. No one else would receive consideration. At this point.
Midweek Schedule
Florida at Arkansas (Tonight, 7:00pm ET)
South Carolina at Kentucky (Tonight, 9:00pm ET)
Alabama at Auburn (Wednesday, 8:00pm ET)
Vanderbilt at LSU (Wednesday, 8:00pm ET)
Georgia at Tennessee (Wednesday, 8:00pm ET)
Mississippi State at Ole Miss (Wednesday, 9:00pm ET)
Missouri at Texas A&M (Thursday, 9:00pm ET)
