Feb 8th SEC Basketball, NBA, and NHL Power Rankings

Hey there guys, sorry this is so late but I am in school and I did have a test today so I finished up some studying before I got to this. Anyway some of the biggest movers this week are Alabama falling a few spots in the SEC after some letdowns in the 2nd half, Florida jumped up a couple spots as they start to gain some momentum, and even after a home loss to Arkansas I'm really starting to like Georgia and the direction they are headed. The biggest risers in the NBA are Utah, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Washington while the biggest fallers are Atlanta, Dallas, and Detroit. In the NHL there was a lot of movement, highlighted by Los Angeles' jump in to the top 3, Buffalo dropping out of the top 10, Anaheim and Montreal moving into the top 20, and the continuous fall of the NY Islanders. Alright guys as always I love hearing your opinions so let me know what you think.



SEC Men's Basketball

1. Kentucky Wildcats 22-1 (7-1) (LW: 1)
Why: This is the only option for #1. The Wildcats are the best team in the SEC but I will say this. If John Wall keeps running his mouth than that will cause a distraction and that could cost the 'Cats come tournament time.
2. Tennessee Volunteers 18-4 (6-2) (LW: 2)
Why: The Vols don't seem like the clear #2 team in the SEC but I can't really argue for anyone else right now. Tennessee plays Offense, Defense, and rebounds. Throw in the road win at LSU and huge beat down of South Carolina in Knoxville and I guess that's good enough for now.
3. Vanderbilt Commodores 17-5 (6-2) (LW: 3)
Why: I had once thought about moving Vanderbilt ahead of Tennessee thinking back to Tennessee's loss at Georgia as why I would move Vanderbilt ahead. But than Vanderbilt waltzed into Georgia and came out 58-72 losers. Defensively they need to improve and as much as I like this Vanderbilt team I think F A.J. Ogilvy is overrated and if he doesn't step up his game down low teams will beat them.
4. Florida Gators 17-6 (6-3) (LW: 6)
Why: Nobody is talking about the gators and their 6-1 run after opening up 0-2 in the SEC but after watching them pull off a 2nd half comeback 1 point win over Alabama and than beating other SEC West Power Miss State by 7 at home you get the feeling the Gators are about ready to hit the National spotlight again. They play Xavier on ESPN this weekend.
5. Ole Miss Rebels 17-6 (5-4) (LW: 4)
Why: Ole Miss is enjoying a nice stretch of 5 days without a game, hoping the rest will allow F Reggie Buckner the chance to play against Rival Miss State Thursday. Without Buckner the Rebels had lost two in a row, and were down 20 at halftime to Alabama before pulling off the stunning comeback. If they can rest and get healthy they could very well be the team in the West.
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs 16-7 (4-4) (LW: 5)
Why: State had a rough week this past week losing two road games at Vanderbilt and Florida, both close, but really what I saw watching both was, again, their lack of a real offensive threat. When the 3 went cold they found it very difficult to score. Varnado would maybe get an offensive rebound or two and put it back for points but other than that it seemed as if State struggled putting the ball in the basket.
7. Georgia Bulldogs 10-11 (2-6) (LW: 10)
Why: I know everyone is saying but didn't Arkansas beat Georgia at Georgia this past week? And yes they did. But then Georgia turned right back around and upset ranked Vanderbilt. Arkansas struggled with Auburn. I like Georgia because of their defense and that they continuously keep their opponents off the boards. If they had some talent in the back court they could be a major player in the East.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks 12-11 (5-3) (LW: 9)
Why: The hottest team in the SEC is now leading the SEC West but after close wins over both Georgia and Auburn I begin to wonder if their flame isn't dying down a bit. The worst scoring defense in the SEC will begin to catch up with them when they start to cool off.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide 13-10 (3-6) (LW: 7)
Why: Can the Tide ever finish a game? They have lost three this season by 1 point including a mid week loss to Florida this past week and than followed that up by blowing a 20 point lead at Ole Miss and losing by 7. They may play defense but this is a terrible offensive team.
10. South Carolina Gamecocks 13-9 (4-4) (LW: 8)
Why: What are the Gamecocks without Devan Downey? LSU. No matter how hard Downey tried they just looked awful this past weekend at Tennessee. They rank around the bottom in every major defensive statistic and even with the SECs leading scorer in Devan Downey they are still 7th in the SEC in scoring/game.
11. Auburn Tigers 11-12 (2-6) (LW: 11)
Why: For having them at 11 I think that this is a fairly scary team to face. They have played every team a tough game including their overtime loss to Western Division leader Arkansas this past weekend. They really need to work on that defense though.
12. LSU Tigers 9-14 (0-9) (LW: 12)
Why: The Tigers appear to be either worn out or have just given up. Or maybe both. They suffered two home losses, a close one to Tennessee, and a blowout loss to Kentucky. 2011 anyone?

NBA

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (-1)
3. Utah Jazz (+3)
4. Orlando Magic
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Atlanta Hawks (-3)
7. Boston Celtics (+1)
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (+2)
9. Phoenix Suns (+6)
10. Dallas Mavericks (-3)
11. San Antonio Spurs (-2)
12. Portland Trail Blazers (-1)
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Charlotte Bobcats (-2)
15. Houston Rockets (+2)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (-2)
17. Milwaukee Bucks (+3)
18. Miami Heat (-2)
19. Chicago Bulls (-1)
20. New Orleans Hornets (-1)
21. Philadelphia 76ers (+1)
22. Los Angeles Clippers (-1)
23. New York Knicks
24. Washington Wizards (+4)
25. Indiana Pacers (+2)
26. Sacramento Kings (-1)
27. Detroit Pistons (-3)
28. Golden State Warriors (-2)
29. Minnesota Timberwolves
30. New Jersey Nets

NHL

1. Washington Capitals (+2)
2. San Jose Sharks (-1)
3. Los Angeles Kings (+4)
4. Chicago Blackhawks (-2)
5. Vancouver (+1)
6. Phoenix Coyotes (+2)
7. New Jersey Devils (-3)
8. Colorado Avalanche (+1)
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (+1)
10. Ottawa Senators (+3)
11. Buffalo Sabres (-6)
12. Nashville Predators (-1)
13. Calgary Flames (+1)
14. Detroit Red Wings (-2)
15. Minnesota Wild (+2)
16. Dallas Stars (+2)
17. Philadelphia Flyers (-1)
18. Montreal Canadiens (+4)
19. Anaheim Ducks (-4)
20. Tampa Bay Lightning (+5)
21. St. Louis Blues (-2)
22. Boston Bruins (-2)
23. New York Rangers
24. Atlanta Thrashers (+2)
25. Columbus Blue Jackets (+2)
26. Florida Panthers (-5)
27. Carolina Hurricanes (+1)
28. New York Islanders (-4)
29. Toronto Maple Leafs
30. Edmonton Oilers

Alright guys let me know what you think.