SEC Basketball Tier List: A&M Slowly Climbs, Surprise Team Right Behind

A Tier: In the Tourney

8. South Carolina | NET Ranking: 48

The Gamecocks just took a huge jump after demolishing Kentucky at home. Even more impressive: they were able to take the Cats down without Myles Stute, one of their top players. Lamont Paris’s squad, after a very down first year, looks to be a formidable force in the league this season.

7. Florida | NET Ranking: 46

The Gators stand at 12-6; 0-5 in Quad 1 games, 4-1 in Quad 2, and undefeated in Quads 3 and 4. They’ve played an extremely tough schedule thus far, but will have the chance to get a top-shelf win when they take on Kentucky and Texas A&M basketball next week.

6. Mississippi State | Net Ranking: 40

The Bulldogs have been something of an upstart squad this year. Doubtless buoying their ranking is a home win over Tennessee; that is their lone Quad 1 win, but it is an extremely impressive one. They’re staring down the barrel of four straight Quad 1 games, starting tonight on the road versus Florida.

5. Texas A&M | NET Ranking: 39

The Aggies have notched an incredible 8 Quad 1 games thus far, managing to go .500 over those contests. Their best win is over Iowa State (10th in NET) but a Quad 3 home loss to LSU is dragging them down a bit. The Ags have the potential to make a deep run in the conference and NCAA tournaments, but they just need to put the pieces together.