SEC notebook: Can Texas break away from South Carolina and LSU as the SEC’s best?

Meanwhile behind the SEC’s top four teams sit several programs like Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Tennessee seeking to elevate their stock in the latest SEC and NCAA tournament projections. Nearing the end of the second full week of February, the SEC has no shortage of drama with March only a few weeks away.

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Texas at Kentucky

The Longhorns have survived half of their four-game stretch of consecutive top-25 opponents that included a revenge win and upset on Sunday against South Carolina, giving them their fourth victory against a top-10 team and seven wins against ranked opponents this season. However, the work isn’t done for Texas (24-2) as Vic Schaefer’s squad gets another dose of big midseason SEC exams this week. Prior to the Longhorns’ win on Sunday, there were qualms around Texas being considered one of the top five teams in the country, especially after its Jan. 12 loss to South Carolina and closer-than-usual competition against some of the SEC’s bottom-tier programs. However, despite injuries to key players like Aaliyah Moore, the Longhorns have a chance to make an even bigger national statement should they string together two more Quad 1 wins against two top-10 opponents this week. For that to happen, it will take another round of strong performances from sophomore sensation Madison Booker (averaging 20.1 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 7.8 rebounds per game since the Longhorns’ loss to Gamecocks), Taylor Jones (12.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Rori Harmon (9.8 ppg, 6.2 apg) — as well strong contributions from Longhorns’ bench.

The Wildcats remain beneath the three-team drama for first place in the SEC. However, Kentucky (19-3) is seeking to stay in the mix of teams competing for the league’s top spot as well as improving its résumé for seeding purposes for the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats’ loss to the Rebels dropped them two spots in the latest NET rankings to 19. Kentucky is projected to be a No. 4 seed in this year’s Big Dance, according to the latest bracketology update. But a win against the Longhorns would improve the Wildcats NET and tournament seeding as well as put them in a tie with Texas in the SEC standings, a team that would then have two SEC losses before its Sunday showdown against LSU in the Moody Center. A win for Kentucky starts with the impact of Georgia Amoore and the Wildcats’ lengthy lineup — all five starters are averaging double-digit scoring production — shooting the ball well from the floor and from three, securing points off turnovers and getting deflections and blocks on the defensive end. It is worth noting that Texas enters Thursday’s game 2-0 all-time against Kentucky, 15-0 when shooting 50% or better from the floor and averages 18.8 second chance points per contest. On the other hand, Kentucky is a perfect 12-0 at home this season that includes two wins against ranked foes.

• Games this week for Texas: at Kentucky (Feb. 13), LSU (Feb. 16)
• Games this week for Kentucky: vs.Texas (Feb. 13), Georgia (Feb. 16)

LSU at Texas

The Tigers enter Sunday’s epic clash against the Longhorns as winners of five consecutive games that includes victories against two ranked opponents in Oklahoma and most recently Tennessee on Super Bowl Sunday. Moving up to No. 5 in this week’s AP rankings and with a full week to prepare for Texas, the Tigers have a chance to create separation within the standings of the three-team triangle for first place as well as enter the conversation for a No. 1 seed in this year’s tournament should they defeat the Longhorns in Austin. Currently, LSU (25-1) sits at nine in the NET rankings and is projected to be a No. 2 seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament. If LSU defeats Texas, the Tigers would improve to 5-1 in Quad 1 victories this season and place a bid for a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance, eliminating Texas from holding that spot. An LSU win against Texas would give the Longhorns their second or third Quad 1 loss of the season (pending the outcome of the Texas-Kentucky matchup). But for Kim Mulkey’s squad to break the triangle atop the SEC standings, it will require her stars as well as the Tigers’ bench to play well, a unit that did exceptionally well against Tennessee behind a strong performance from Kailyn Gilbert and solid contributions from Mjracle Sheppard and Jada Richard. Texas leads LSU 3-1 in the all-time series with the Longhorns winning the last two meetings dating back to the 2017 contest.

• Games this week for LSU: at Texas (Feb. 16)

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UConn at South Carolina

Despite the Longhorns’ win and rising above the Gamecocks in this week’s AP rankings, South Carolina (22-2) still holds the top spot in the nation in NET rankings with a nation-best 10 Quad 1 victories. Although this highly anticipated nonconference matchup does not affect SEC standings, it could impact South Carolina’s status as No. 1 seed should the Gamecocks lose to the Huskies on Sunday. UConn, although ranked No. 7 in this week’s AP rankings, is currently projected to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament with a 3-3 mark in Q1 competition. A win for UConn would bolster its chance at a No.1 seed for the first time since 2021. Granted, all of this prognostication is assuming that nothing weird happens like the Gamecocks losing on Thursday to the Gators, something that would create a whirlwind of discussion as well as snap South Carolina’s SEC-record 70-game home winning streak. It’s hard to fathom South Carolina losing back-to-back games. But in the SEC, no team can be taken for granted. 

• Games this week for South Carolina: vs. Florida (Feb. 13), UConn (Feb. 16)

Tennessee

The Volunteers dropped a five-point contest to LSU following its dramatic, thrilling victory on Feb. 6 against UConn, its first win against the Huskies since 2007. Currently, Tennessee sits in the middle of the pack in the conference but could potentially move up as high as fifth in league standings, meaning the Vols would either play in the first round or second round of the SEC tournament. Nationally, Tennessee (17-6) sits at 12 in NET rankings and is currently projected to be a No. 4 seed in this year’s tournament. However, with four of the Vols’ final six games — Quad 1 games — against Mississippi (Sunday), Alabama (Feb. 20), at Florida (Feb. 23) and a road trip to Kentucky (Feb. 27), Tennessee still has room to potentially improve its seeding for this year’s tournament.

• Games this week for Tennessee: vs. Auburn (Feb. 13), Mississippi (Feb. 16)

Mississippi

The Rebels are vying for one of the league’s top four spots, seeking to refrain from playing until the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament next month. Monday’s ranked win against Kentucky — the Rebels second top-10 win in head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s tenure — helped Mississippi’s goal. Currently, the Rebels (16-7) are tied for fifth in the conference and sit at 13 in NET rankings with four Q1 victories. With a road game on Sunday against the Vols and matchups against LSU and South Carolina in the final weeks of the regular season, the Rebels’ chances of sitting among the best four teams in the SEC are very much still alive.

• Games this week for Mississippi: vs. Arkansas (Feb. 13), at Tennessee (Feb. 16)

Oklahoma

The Sooners notched a win against Mississippi (66-56) and a two-point victory (73-71) on Monday against Auburn without star center and leading scorer Raegan Beers, who missed both games due to illness. Oklahoma (18-6) sits at seventh in the SEC standings and at 16 in the latest NET rankings. It hasn’t been a perfect first year of SEC competition for head coach Jennie Baranczyk due to injuries and players in and out of the lineup in the program. Oklahoma will likely avoid playing the first round of the SEC tournament. With its final five games against non-ranked SEC foes, OU has more chances to secure wins and build stronger cohesion as a team heading into the league tournament and the NCAA tournament.

• Games this week for Oklahoma: at Missouri (Feb. 16)

Alabama

Behind the three-way tie for first place and the Wildcats are the Crimson Tide, a program tied for fifth with Mississippi in the SEC. Alabama (20-5) enters this week winners of three consecutive games to maintain its spot while also continuing its push for a top-four spot in the conference. Following the program’s matchup on Monday against Texas A&M, Alabama — like Mississippi — will have a chance to continue its quest as one of the SEC’s top four contenders with three of its five remaining games against a ranked Tennessee on the road, LSU and a regular season finale road contest against Oklahoma. Currently, Alabama is projected to be a No. 6 seed and sits at 17 in the latest NET rankings. 

• Games this week for Alabama: vs. Texas A&M (Feb. 17)

Vanderbilt

As exciting as the Commodores have been to watch this season predominantly behind the play of Mikayla Blakes and Khamil Pierre, Vanderbilt (18-6) lost a potential statement game last week on the road to Texas (87-66). But make no mistake, the Commodores will still be one of the more dangerous teams in the SEC tourney field and more broadly within the NCAA Tournament landscape. However, how far Vanderbilt will go long term — as stated before — will depend on the contributions of others not named Blakes, Pierre or Iyana Moore. Currently, Vandy sits eighth in the SEC standings and holds a NET ranking of 22. The Commodores seek their third victory against a top-25 team this season. With Oklahoma and South Carolina among their final six games, a win against either of those two teams would be a major boost for the program.

• Games this week for Vanderbilt: vs. Mississippi State (Feb. 13), at Auburn (Feb. 16)

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs enter this week after splitting the week with a win (against Arkansas 78-55) and a loss to Alabama (80-60). More broadly, Mississippi State hasn’t found the range or consistency in SEC play that head coach Sam Purcell has pushed for — the Bulldogs have lost five of their last seven games. In fact, Mississippi State (17-8) hasn’t won back-to-back games since the second week of SEC play when the Bulldogs upset Oklahoma and defeated Georgia. Despite sitting right underneath the SEC’s middle-of-the-pack at 10th in league standings, the Bulldogs are projected to be at No. 9 seed and one of the league’s 10 teams expected to enter the Big Dance. With only one ranked opponent (Texas) and two road matchups against teams seeking to maintain or move up in the standings, it’s important that the Bulldogs take advantage of their schedule and play some of their basketball as the regular season comes to an end.

• Games this week for Mississippi State: at Vanderbilt (Feb. 13), at Florida (Feb. 16)

Auburn

The Tigers were literally moments away from upsetting Oklahoma on Sunday and picking up their first road win against a ranked SEC team since 2011. A win certainly would’ve helped the Tigers, a team currently sitting at 55 in NET rankings but one of five teams in the SEC that haven’t won a game against AP top-25 competition this season. DeYona Gaston (21.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg) continues to lead the way for Auburn (12-12) but she will need help from other starters and from the bench, a unit that produced 37 points in Sunday’s loss to the Sooners. The Tigers can still have chances to shake things up in the SEC with four of their last five games of the season against NCAA tournament bound teams.

• Games this week for Auburn: at Tennessee (Feb. 13), Vanderbilt (Feb. 16)

Florida

The Gators are coming off a loss to Alabama (84-66) last week and a road matchup on Sunday against South Carolina before returning home for a critical game on Monday against Mississippi State. For multiple weeks, Florida (12-12) sat among the next four teams out in ESPN’s women’s college basketball bracketology. Despite sitting outside the field of current tournament projections, Florida still has a lot to play for this season and has a chance to make multiple statements as the regular season ends. However, the Gators — a team with lots of talent at the guard and post positions — will face four ranked foes in their final six games that starts on Thursday with the Gamecocks and a matchup on Sunday against Mississippi State, the team that currently holds the final projected spot among SEC teams in the field of 68. Some marquee wins — more specifically Q1 wins (0-8 in that category) — over the next couple weeks could change Florida’s postseason hopes in a big way.

• Games this week for Florida: at South Carolina (Feb. 13), Mississippi State (Feb. 16)

Missouri

The Tigers claimed their second SEC victory on Sunday with a 10-point win (69-59) against Texas A&M. Missouri’s current record does not provide an indication on how competitive the Tigers have played against their SEC foes in recent weeks. Missouri (13-13) lost by nine to both Texas (Jan. 30) and LSU (Feb. 6) and lost to Tennessee (Feb. 2) by five. The Tigers will certainly be in competition on Day 1 of the SEC tournament next month. However, it will be interesting to see if Robin Pingeton’s squad can deliver some late-February shockers in conference play and register a few more wins in conference play heading into the SEC tournament. The Tigers’ final six contests include matchups against the Sooners on Sunday, Kentucky, Mississippi and Vanderbilt. 

• Games this week for Missouri: Oklahoma (Feb. 16)

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Texas A&M

The Aggies have not been the same since losing leading scorer Aicha Coulibaly to a season-ending knee injury. Ball security and turnovers — something that has been a constant theme for Texas A&M this season — hurt the Aggies in their 10-point loss on Sunday at home to Missouri. Texas A&M (10-13) remains as one of two SEC teams that has yet to win a true road game (non neutral site contests) this season and has currently lost its last five contests. In the beginning of the season, head coach Joni Taylor stressed the importance of being healthy as one of the biggest keys of her team’s success this season. The Aggies starting lineup of Lauren Ware, Solè Williams, Janae Kent, Sahara Jones and Jada Malone dropped to 0-2 with the loss to the Tigers. Who will continue to step up in Coulibaly’s absence? As the season comes to a close, Texas A&M gets a chance to make a statement with a road matchup on Monday against Alabama. 

• Games this week for Texas A&M: at Alabama (Feb. 17)

Georgia

The Bulldogs picked up their second SEC win of the season on Sunday against Arkansas. However, like the Aggies, Georgia (10-15) hasn’t won a game on the road this season. Not to mention, the Bulldogs enter a brutal final five-game slate that includes matchups against four ranked opponents starting Sunday on the road against Kentucky, a road contest against LSU (Feb. 20), Texas (Feb. 24) and a season-finale on the road against Tennessee (March 2). Although UGA won’t be projected to win any of these games, it could help the Bulldogs continue to improve in preparation for the SEC tournament.

• Games this week for Georgia: at Kentucky (Feb. 16)

Arkansas

The Razorbacks enter this week having lost three consecutive games that includes Sunday’s one-point loss (62-61) to UGA. Arkansas (9-17) remains at the bottom of the SEC standings and the league’s lowest ranked SEC team in NET rankings (132). Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors was hoping his team could pick up wins against Mississippi State and Georgia before opening a brutal trio of opponents over the next 10 days with matchups against the Rebels, South Carolina (Feb. 20) and Oklahoma (Feb. 23). However, the season will continue to roll with Izzy Higginbottom (24.3 PPG, fourth nationally in ppg) leading the way in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

• Games this week for Arkansas: vs. Mississippi (Feb. 13)

SEC schedule this week

Thursday, Feb. 13

• Auburn at Tennessee
• Texas at Kentucky
• Florida at South Carolina
• Mississippi at Arkansas
• Mississippi State at Vanderbilt

Sunday, Feb. 16

• Mississippi at Tennessee
• UConn at South Carolina
• Georgia at Kentucky
• Oklahoma at Missouri
• Mississippi State at Florida
• LSU at Texas
• Vanderbilt at Auburn

Monday, Feb. 17

• Texas A&M at Alabama 

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