SEC Women's Basketball Power Rankings: Is Kentucky back under Kenny Brooks?

SEC Women’s Basketball Power Rankings: Is Kentucky back under Kenny Brooks?

Posted by Admin January 14, 2025 Basketball

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The only team to stay put in the rankings was South Carolina, which had an impressive 67-50 win over Texas. Only four teams went 2-0 this week, and there are only three 4-0 teams in the conference: South Carolina, LSU and Kentucky. The Wildcats and Mississippi State were the biggest risers this week after UK’s undefeated start and the Bulldogs’ big win over Oklahoma.

The SEC treated us to multiple game-winning shots last week, and it’s only going to get more exciting from here. Now, onto the rankings.

1. South Carolina (16-1, 4-0)

Last week: 1

This week: Alabama, Oklahoma

What to know: I know there’s still another date in Texas that the Gamecocks have to take care of, but after this week, South Carolina owns the Lone Star state.

2. LSU (19-0, 4-0)

Last week: 3

This week: Florida

What to know: Kailyn Gilbert made the shot of the week with her last-second, off-balance hook shot to win it against Tennessee. If anyone didn’t know her name before, they definitely do now.

3. Texas (16-2, 3-1)

Last week: 2

This week: Auburn, Maryland

What to know: Madison Booker had possibly the realest reaction ever to South Carolina’s defense that held her to 3-for-19 shooting in Sunday’s loss. If you know, you know.

4. Kentucky (15-1, 4-0)

Last week: 7

This week: Georgia

What to know: The Wildcats are off to an undefeated start in SEC play under a new regime. It’s too early to overreact, but that’s not nothing for Kenny Brooks in Year One.

5. Oklahoma (14-3, 2-2)

Last week: 4

This week: Missouri, South Carolina

What to know: Oklahoma’s turnover problem caught up to it against Mississippi State, which capitalized on it for 25 points off turnovers to down the Sooners. To make matters worse, Raegan Beers suffered an apparent injury Sunday.

6. Tennessee (14-2, 2-2)

Last week: 5

This week: Mississippi State, Vanderbilt

What to know: Kim Caldwell said her team might have to lose to learn the lesson of rebounding, and they learned it a second time against LSU.

7. Mississippi State (15-3, 2-2)

Last week: 12

This week: Tennessee, Ole Miss

What to know: The Bulldogs won a big one at The Hump, but it’s not getting any easier this week with a matchup in Knoxville and the battle of Mississippi on Sunday.

8. Alabama (16-2, 3-1)

Last week: 6

This week: South Carolina, Arkansas

What to know: Sarah Ashlee Barker was out, but the Crimson Tide not even being competitive against Texas was a disappointment.

9. Vanderbilt (14-4, 1-3)

Last week: 8

This week: Tennessee

What to know: Vanderbilt has an open date to recoup after two tough losses, but Tennessee’s high-pressure defense will be there waiting for it in Nashville on Sunday.

10. Texas A&M (8-8, 1-3)

Last week: 9

This week: Georgia

What to know: It would have taken a miracle for the Aggies to pull off an upset last week, but at least they get an open date this week to get some rest.

11. Ole Miss (11-5, 2-2)

Last week: 10

This week: Florida, Mississippi State

What to know: If you let a team shoot 63% on 12 made 3-pointers, you can’t expect to win. Ole Miss is going to have to find its perimeter defense or it’s going to be a long two months.

12. Florida (11-7, 2-2)

Last week: 13

This week: Ole Miss, LSU

What to know: The Gators’ two SEC wins are against Georgia and Missouri, so I’m going to need a little more to be impressed.

13. Arkansas (8-11, 1-3)

Last week: 16

This week: Alabama

What to know: Arkansas, you surprised me, and I owe you an apology. It turns out Auburn is an SEC team the Razorbacks can beat.

14. Georgia (9-9, 1-3)

Last week: 15

This week: Texas A&M, Kentucky

What to know: Georgia got in the win column by the skin of its teeth this week against Missouri thanks to Trinity Turner, who gave Gilbert a run for her money for the best game-winning shot of the week.

15. Auburn (9-8, 0-4)

Last week: 11

This week: Texas, Missouri

What to know: Auburn continues to slip without Taliah Scott, and I fear that trend won’t stop until she returns.

16. Missouri (11-8, 0-4)

Last week: 14

This week: Oklahoma, Auburn

What to know: It’s funny because I would have predicted this outcome at the beginning of the season, but Missouri made me believe in it for a second in nonconference play.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.