SEC Basketball Power Poll 2012: Ballot for 1/10/2012

by Glenn Logan on Jan 10, 2012 7:02 PM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

We had a few surprises this week in the SEC, and an opportunity for several more starting tonight.

Of course, the big surprise was the Tennessee Volunteers handing it to the Florida Gators in Knoxville back on Saturday. That was a shock to the system for most, but the Vols have played several teams really tough so far this year, and when Jarnell Stokes is able to be integrated into the Tennessee lineup, they are likely to only get better. Stokes is only the #5 overall prospect in the class of 2012, and even though he came out of high school earlier than planned, he can really help Tennessee where they need it most -- on the interior.

Also surprising was seeing a very tough Mississippi St. Bulldogs team go over to Fayetteville and be defeated by Mike Anderson's young Arkansas Razorbacks team. You know that Anderson's style is going to create a few upsets, especially later in the year after these young but talented Hawgs have time to buy into his system. It's hard to envision them winning the division, but they are more than capable of playing the role of spoiler to almost any SEC team, including Kentucky.

Here's my ballot. Note that the projections and numbers are all from Ken Pomeroy's site. I don't have any idea who he thinks will beat us, but statistically, it's a fair bet we'll lose a game or two somewhere, somehow. But these are his projections, not mine.

The rankings, however, are mine.

My Rnk	Team	Overall	Conf	Proj	Pomeroy	Prnk	AdjO	Ornk	AdjD	Drnk	AdjT	Trnk	Conf SOS	SoSrnk	Comments
1	Kentucky	15-1	1-0	14-2	0.9616	3	116.7	6	85.2	5	69.3	65	0.5072	10	Just rolling along. Easy first road test at Auburn this week, tougher at Tennessee on Saturday.
2	Alabama	12-3	1-0	12-4	0.9158	13	108.2	57	85.7	6	64.1	292	0.7379	8	Two road wins back to back prove the Tide are legit.
3	Vanderbilt	11-4	1-0	9-7	0.8421	37	108.1	60	91.8	40	67.6	153	0.2807	12	Been a lot better lately. May have recovered from unexpectedly poor start.
4	Florida	12-4	0-1	11-5	0.9100	14	121.2	1	96.7	114	67.8	146	0.7812	7	The loss at Tennessee was an eye opener. Can this team win on the road? They haven't so far.
5	Mississippi St.	13-3	0-1	8-8	0.7911	57	109.8	43	96.4	107	68.5	111	0.8345	6	Road loss at Arkansas is not shameful, but the Tide comes in on the Bulldogs Saturday, and might wash them away.
6	Louisiana St.	11-4	1-0	8-8	0.7529	74	100.0	182	89.7	21	67.1	181	0.4681	11	Could Trent Johnson win the Coach of the Year and still get fired? Probably not even at LSU, but they aren't singing his praises just yet. Maybe they are too distracted by the spanking the football team got in the Big Easy.
7	Mississippi	10-5	0-1	5-11	0.6098	129	95.9	245	91.8	39	69.1	81	0.8440	5	This team is looking weaker by the day.
8	Arkansas	12-3	1-0	8-8	0.7395	79	104.3	105	94.2	71	72.6	13	0.6808	9	Good win versus the MSU Bulldogs. Can Anderson do it on the road against the other Magnolia State team?
9	Georgia	9-6	0-1	5-11	0.6133	125	103.1	127	98.6	141	64.1	297	0.8597	3	The brutal road trip to Gainesville and Nashville look to humble the Dawgs even further.
10	Tennessee	8-7	1-0	7-9	0.6678	111	104.4	103	97.6	124	65.5	240	0.8506	4	Biggest upset of the SEC season so far vs. Florida. Can they go down to Starkville and do it on the road?
11	South Carolina	8-7	0-1	5-11	0.6464	116	105.0	90	99.0	152	63.3	311	0.9780	1	Played Kentucky fairly tough, but the Commies are coming.
12	Auburn	10-5	0-1	3-13	0.4093	211	95.1	259	98.5	140	67.4	167	0.9045	2	Don't let the 10-5 record fool you. If they pick up more than one win between now and February, I'll be surprised.

Agree? Disagree? Comment away!

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Really surprised at his projection for Miss. ST.

I saw them play Baylor tough. They did get ambused at Ark., but I imagine several teams could experience that. I just think Miss. St. is better than that.

by jdogblue on Jan 10, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions

Seems about right

I might push Tennessee ahead of Georgia, but then I’m currently watching the Dawgs get blown out at Florida.

Speaking of Florida, should a team whose best wins are at home against Arizona and Florida St really be considered a Top 25 team? I think Florida’s currently ranking is a perfect example of how preseason expectations overshadow actual play.

Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith

by JLeverenz on Jan 10, 2012 8:29 PM EST reply actions

I agree JL-

Georgia looks bad, and so does Louisville. I’m hoping to see Illinois knock off Ohio State later.

"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"

by iam4ukintn on Jan 10, 2012 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

Not a Gator fan but, Is there more than meets the eye at Florida??

Five players averaging double figures …I’ve seen Beal play and he is as advertised … I know Boynton and Walker are solid … Patrick Young looks to be the beast … yet the results are not impressive … could it be that they will be a force later in the year???

by ukcris on Jan 10, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

got me

I have not watched them except for most of last night’s game and a few odd moments here and there. They certainly seem to have the players to be really good, and close losses at Ohio St and at Syracuse are not to be sneezed at. I expect they will have a strong performance in conference, but might be looking at a 4-5 seed come tournament time unless they are able to win several games against UK, Alabama, Miss St and Vandy.

Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith

by JLeverenz on Jan 11, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

I think they will be a force sometime,

But don’t we have six players averaging double figures? ’-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Jan 11, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

Louisville is losing by 30?

To Providence?

by bob in bg on Jan 10, 2012 8:57 PM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs

I think Pitino is on the verge of losing his team.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 10, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

Yikes.

by bob in bg on Jan 10, 2012 9:08 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

UL fans are starting to call for Pitino's head.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 10, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

He skipped the post game radio press conference.

All is not well in the river city.

by bob in bg on Jan 10, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

Karen Sypher has a voodoo doll .... pins for Pitino ....... :)

by ukcris on Jan 10, 2012 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

She could sell a lot of those

to UK fans.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 10, 2012 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

(Cat) Scratch That

Louisville lost by 31…….YIKES

by OvaDwayneBowe on Jan 10, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

Ohio State lost.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 10, 2012 11:10 PM EST reply actions

Buckeyes looked very beatable to me.

Meaning if there is a rematch come March.

by maysvilleblue on Jan 11, 2012 8:10 AM EST up reply actions

Wow.

Cardinal fans have melted down and are now trying to prove the China Syndrome is real.

Most Louisville sites are still supercritical and are about to reach the lower mantle. You may want to wear a radiation monitor when viewing them, and I recommend only brief exposure, or permanent cognitive degradation could result. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Jan 10, 2012 11:43 PM EST reply actions

Gives new meaning to Angry Birds.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 11, 2012 6:35 AM EST up reply actions

Hah!

I don’t read that stuff. My blue is not fed by other teams’ internet fans (mostly anonymous gives new meaning to spewing from the mouth) in minor meltdown mode and especially full steam meltdown. So, you all will need to mention if/when they form a circle and have gathered with tar, feathers, torches, etc. ;-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Jan 11, 2012 7:28 AM EST up reply actions

UL

It’s easy to kick a bird when it has hit the ground beak first and even easier to kick slick Rick when he is down but I remember days not so long ago when my beloved Cats were losing to the likes of Gardner-Webb at home. So I will just quietly enjoy the #2 ranking of UK and give the cardinal currently perched on my deck a smirk while I flip him the daily bird.

by maysvilleblue on Jan 11, 2012 8:08 AM EST up reply actions

Checked it out this morning

Its like bad car wreck, you know you shouldn’t slow down and look but you just can’t help yourself. I ALMOST feel sorry for them. Not quite there yet, but almost.

by KYGRLNNM on Jan 11, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Definite possibility to get 5 in the tourney this year

I think Vandy outplays that 9-7 projection. They’re getting their sea legs under them with Ezeli back.

Mississippi State is definitely intriguing. Wins against A&M, Arizona, West Virginia, but head-scratching loss to Akron. If they can go 10-6 in conference with a couple of big W’s, I’d say they’re tourney bound.

http://aseaofblue.com | http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on Jan 11, 2012 9:08 AM EST reply actions