As the faculty basketball common season heats up, we’re getting a a lot clearer image of which groups and conferences might be main gamers in March. Ordinary suspects Duke (14-2), Connecticut (13-4) and Kansas (12-3) are off to sturdy begins.
Along with these stalwarts, we’ve additionally seen the clear emergence of the SEC because the nation’s greatest convention. 9 SEC colleges are ranked within the Related Press Prime 25, 5 within the prime 10.
Coming into convention play, the SEC boasted the best combined winning percentage (89.9) in opposition to non-conference opponents, per ESPN.
Listed here are the foremost gamers within the SEC’s dominating efficiency. (All information and statistics are via Monday’s video games.)
No. 1 Auburn (15-1 | 3-0)
Main the way in which for the SEC is Auburn, which beneath Eleventh-year head coach Bruce Pearl has jumped to its greatest begin in program historical past. The basis of this success is a core of seasoned veterans headlined by senior huge man and Wooden Award hopeful Johni Broome.
Broome is a power at each ends of the ground for the Tigers, main the workforce in factors (17.9 PPG), rebounds (10.7 RPG), assists (3.2 APG) and blocks (2.7 BPG). His important co-star is rangy, 6-foot-7 guard Chad Baker-Mazara, who averages 12.7 factors. Auburn is deep, well-rounded and appears like a nationwide title contender.
No. 4 Alabama (14-2 | 3-0)
After struggling early on, the preseason convention title favorites have discovered their stride in latest weeks, led by arguably the perfect level guard within the nation in Mark Sears (19.1 PPG). The doubtless NBA lottery decide is the Tide’s main scorer and is placing up a profession greatest in assists (4.5 APG). He’s removed from the one weapon, although, as Alabama boasts the nation’s top-scoring offense (91.1 PPG).
Very like Auburn, Alabama is seasoned and well-rounded, and beneath Nate Oats, it has change into a machine. Alabama additionally ought to be within the combine for a nationwide title in March.
No. 5 Florida (15-1 | 2-1)
Maybe the largest shock workforce of the season, Florida has rocketed to its greatest begin in nearly 20 years. The Gators have a stellar offense, however their success has largely been pushed by their protection. Florida suffocates opponents, particularly on the glass and on the three-point line.
Florida ranks top three nationally in three-point percentage allowed and defensive rebounds. The Gators additionally rank prime 10 nationally in nearly each different main defensive class.
Towards then-No. 1 and beforehand undefeated Tennessee, Florida received 73-43, the third-largest margin of victory for a team against an opponent ranked No. 1 by the AP. Florida has established itself as a legit convention contender and is barely going to get higher down the stretch.
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 8, 2025
No. 6 Tennessee (15-1 | 2-1)
Don’t let the rating idiot you, because the Vols are most likely the perfect workforce within the nation. Earlier than this week, they held the No. 1 rating for the previous a number of weeks.
The Vols boast the third-best scoring protection within the nation (57.9 PPG), and when you take out their blowout loss to Florida, their offense jumps into the highest 10.
Led by arguably the perfect frontcourt duo within the nation in Chaz Lanier and Zakai Ziegler, the Volunteers are one of many few elite groups at each ends. Count on to see them dancing deep into March as they seek for their first Remaining 4 and nationwide title.
No. 8 Kentucky (13-3 | 2-1)
Mark Pope’s first yr on the helm of his alma mater has introduced success sooner than simply about anyone predicted. He was named the pinnacle man after long-time coach John Calipari departed for Arkansas. Together with Coach Cal, a lot of the expertise from final season’s roster departed, forcing Pope to construct just about his complete roster via the portal.
In doing so, he has crafted one of many extra well-balanced offenses within the nation. Led by Oklahoma switch Otega Oweh (15.6 PPG), the Wildcats boast the nation’s third-best scoring offense (89.2 PPG). They need to enhance defensively, nevertheless, to make at a nationwide title run.
Better of the remainder
No. 11 Texas A&M (13-3, 2-1), No. 15 Mississippi State, No. 21 (14-2, 2-1), No. 21 Mississippi (14-2, 3-0) and No. 23 Georgia (14-2, 2-1) spherical out the powerhouse SEC’s groups within the AP Prime 25.
Prime to backside there’s no different competitors for the SEC as the perfect convention in males’s school basketball.
The one concern for the SEC could also be that its groups beat one another up earlier than the Large Dance in March. Nonetheless, anticipate a number of SEC groups to compete for a nationwide title.
