This week was the yearly Big 12-SEC Challenge, so Saturday was full of interesting matchups.

In the end, the challenge would finish in a 5-5 tie between the conferences.

#1 LSU Tigers (15-4,6-0)

Last week: #1

Record last week: 2-0

The Tigers had two very close calls this week and almost saw their perfect start to conference play snapped.

Early in the week, they faced off with Florida and were able to come away with the narrow 84-82 victory.

In the challenge, the Tigers made a road trip to face the Texas Longhorns. That was also a close game throughout, but it was the Tigers that came away with the 69-67 victory.

This week: vs Alabama, vs Ole Miss

#2 Kentucky Wildcats (15-4,5-1)

Last week: #2

Record last week: 2-0

The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in the country right now, and they are getting better each time they take the floor.

Early in the week, they had their 2^nd matchup with Georgia and were able to take care of business with the 89-79 home victory.

Then, focus shifted to Saturday’s game of the day in college basketball. A road trip to play #18 Texas Tech Red Raiders. This was a very fun matchup with pace of play and the environment. In the end, the Cats were able to get the 76-74 win in OT.

Kentucky is winning games in different ways, which is helping them grow as a team. They have had the big offensive nights and have also won close games with lockdown defense. Very impressive for this young team.

This week: vs Vanderbilt, @ Auburn

#3 Auburn Tigers (17-2,4-2)

Last week: #4

Record last week: 2-0

The Tigers bounced back nicely after their back to back losses a week ago to Alabama and Florida.

They were able to get a blowout victory over South Carolina Wednesday night, beating the Gamecocks 80-67.

They followed that up with a win in the challenge beating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-76 in a game that they held a huge lead but let it get close late.

Auburn will have a huge test this week when Kentucky comes to town.

This week: @ Ole Miss, vs Kentucky

#4 Florida Gators (12-7,4-2)

Last week: #3

Record last week: 0-2

It was a tough week for the Gators as they had two very difficult matchups against high quality teams.

Early in the week, the Gators lost a heartbreaker as they came up just short against LSU on the road losing that one 84-82.

They then had to face off with the #1 team in the country as the Baylor Bears came to town. They put up a good fight but, in the end, it was Baylor getting the 72-61 win.

Florida will have favorable matchups this week as they look to bounce back after a tough week.

This week: vs Mississippi State, @ Vanderbilt

#5 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-7,4-2)

Last week: #6

Record last week: 2-0

This was a good week for the Tide as they were able to get another SEC win, and then grabbed a win in the challenge.

They started their week with a blowout victory on the road at Vanderbilt winning it 77-62. They backed that up with a win over the Kansas State Wildcats 77-74.

Alabama is a sneaky good team in the SEC this year and you need to keep an eye on them as they could be the reason a team at the top doesn’t end up winning the conference. If they don’t win it themselves.

This week: @ LSU, vs Arkansas

#6 Tennessee Volunteers (12-7,4-2)

Last week: #7

Record last week: 1-1

The Vols had a very good week despite dropping the game in the challenge in a tough matchup.

They started their week by getting a 73-48 dominating win at home over Ole Miss. Then, they had to make a trip to Kansas to face the #3 team in the land. They were in the game the entire time and could’ve easily won it. However, in the end it was the Kansas Jayhawks getting the 74-68 win.

Tennessee is holding strong despite an injury that could’ve destroyed their season. They will have a chance to stay hot this week.

This week: vs Texas A&M, @ Mississippi State

#7 Arkansas Razorbacks (15-4,3-3)

Last week: #5

Record last week: 1-1

The Razorbacks are starting to slip a little in conference play as they dropped their 2^nd straight SEC game.

They started the week with a 77-70 loss on the road at Mississippi State which was shocking considering the teams. They were able to bounce back Saturday getting a 78-67 win over the TCU Horned Frogs.

Arkansas got off to a red hot start this season, but they are going to need to get back to their winning ways in the SEC.

This week: vs South Carolina, @ Alabama

#8 Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-7,3-3)

Last week: #8

Record last week: 1-1

The Bulldogs were able to secure a big SEC win but came up just short in their battle with the Big 12.

They started the week with a close 77-70 win over Arkansas at home. However, in their matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners, they had a chance to get the win but missed the game winning shot a left with a 63-62 loss.

It will not be an easy week for the Bulldogs, but if they can come away with a 1-1 record, I think it should be seen as a success.

This week: @ Florida, vs Tennessee

#9 South Carolina Gamecocks (11-8,3-3)

Last week: #9

Record last week: 1-1

The Gamecocks are still around the middle of the pack after their week of results that were expected.

They went to Auburn and kept it close for a while, but the Tigers proved to be too much as they fell 80-67. They then had a home matchup with Vanderbilt and took care of business getting the 90-64 victory.

This will be a big week for the Gamecocks as they have two games that they can win but neither win will be easy to come by.

This week: @ Arkansas, vs Missouri

#10 Texas A&M Aggies (9-9,3-3)

Last week: #10

Record last week: 1-1

The Aggies didn’t have the best week as they struggled with a lower SEC opponent and then were defeated in their challenge game.

They started the week squeaking by a struggling Missouri team winning it 66-64 on the road. Then, they had to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys and dropped that one 73-62.

Things aren’t going to get any easier for the Aggies as they have two SEC road games coming up and we all know how hard it is to win on the road in SEC play.

This week: @ Tennessee, @ Georgia

#11 Ole Miss Rebels (10-9,1-5)

Last week: #13

Record last week: 1-1

The Rebels were finally able to secure their first win in SEC play and they did it on the road.

They started their week with a blowout loss to Tennessee falling 73-48. However, they had another road trip going to Georgia and were able to beat the struggling Bulldogs 70-60 for their first conference win.

This is going to be a very tough week for the Rebels, but we will see if they are starting to figure it out after the first win.

This week: vs Auburn, @ LSU

#12 Georgia Bulldogs (11-8,1-5)

Last week: #11

Record last week: 0-2

The Bulldogs are playing a lot worse than I think we all expected them to and the struggles continued this week.

They started the week with a rematch against Kentucky and once again lost to the Cats as they fell 89-79. They then were the team to give Ole Miss their first win in SEC play as they fell 70-60 to the Rebels.

Georgia has one of the best players in the country, but he has been held in check in their last two games. They will struggle to win many games if he isn’t doing a lot of scoring for them.

This week: @ Missouri, vs Texas A&M

#13 Missouri Tigers (9-10,1-5)

Last week: #12

Record last week: 0-2

The Tigers are one of the worst teams in the SEC this season and their struggles continue week after week.

This week they fell at home to Texas A&M in a close loss 66-64. Then, they had one of the worst shooting performances I have ever seen as they shot 28% in the Challenge against the West Virginia Mountaineers in a 74-51 losing effort.

This week: vs Georgia, @ South Carolina

#14 Vanderbilt Commodores (8-11,0-6)

Last week: #14

Record last week: 0-2

It was a week of blowout losses for the 3-point streak less Commodores as they are still searching for their first SEC win.

They started the week with a 77-62 loss to Alabama and followed that up with a 90-64 loss to South Carolina.

This week will be even harder for the Commodores as they search for an SEC victory.

This week: @ Kentucky, vs Florida