March 9th Power Rankings and Playoff Previews

Hey there guys,
Well it's been a couple of weeks since I have done my Power Rankings, because I have tried to work on a better, more accurate power ranking. Well here is the first of my new Power Rankings. I am also going to be giving my, often updated, NBA and NHL (and MLB when the time comes) Playoff Previews, where I show where I think each team is going to end up in their respective playoff picture and also my predicted Conference and Title winners. Anyway guys hope you enjoy.

My Power Rankings.....

SEC Men's Basketball

1. Kentucky Wildcats
Why: The regular season conference champ well deserves this #1 ranking, as they are by far the best offense and defense in the SEC and the most recognizable names in John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. They are pretty much guaranteed a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as well.
2. Tennessee Volunteers
Why: Tennessee is a very interesting team. They were swept by Vanderbilt, destroyed by Georgia on the road, and who can forget that 22 point loss to USC earlier this season? Yet they have also upset #1 Kansas and #2 Kentucky? I don't know. What I do know is that they ended the season on a 3 game win streak and are a guaranteed Dancer later this month.
3. Vanderbilt Commodores
Why: The Commodores are only at #3 because of how poorly they close the season, meaning losing senior day, at home, to South Carolina. It wasn't just getting outplayed by a below average team, it was getting out hustled by one player. Vanderbilt is still a solid team and with a good run might make the Elite Eight. But they need to regroup after that rough loss.
4. Florida Gators
Why: Wrong time to get cold for the Gators. Losing their last 2 to Georgia and Vanderbilt to end the season, they now need to win 1 or 2 in the conference tournament to feel safe about getting in the tournament.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Why: The hottest bubble team in the SEC, they haven't had any convincing wins though, struggling in the first half and relying on a second half run to win the game. They are going to need a win in the conference tournament if they are going to be seriously considered as a Dance invite.
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Why: Rough end to the season, losing on the road at Auburn and then getting destroyed by Tennessee at home. They are going to need to make the conference finals to maybe get considered as a at large to the dance.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
Why: Great end to the season with an 8 point win over South Carolina on the road and following that up with a solid win over rival Auburn. While this season, saying that they don't win the Conf Tourney, is over for the Tide they enjoyed some offensive success in their past two games, plus they finished both of the games on strong notes. Should provide some confidence for the next season, even though they are going to lose Brock and Torrance.
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Why: Despite the loss at LSU to end the season this was one of the most underrated teams in the Conference and I can't wait to see the Bulldogs next season as they return Soph Guards Dustin Ware, Travis Leslie, and Forward Trey Thompkins. This could be a team that makes a run in the west.
9. Auburn Tigers
Why: Auburn was a tough team this past season that challenged defenses and made games a lot tougher then they should have been on paper. The problem for Auburn is that they lose Hargrove, Knox, Reed, and Waller which is going to mean a long season come next season.
10. Arkansas Razorbacks
Why: Despite sneaking their way up to the top of the division they have now fallen all the way to third with the loss at home in the final minute to Ole Miss this past weekend. This another team that is already looking forward to next season as they will return Rotnei Clarke, Courtney Fortson, and Marshawn Powell. This should be another team that shakes up the West.
11. LSU Tigers
Why: This was the toughest team in the conference as they fought all season long, and well deservedly won 2 conference games despite only 9 roster players. Woof. They do lose Tasmin Mitchell, a great forward, but they get Ole Miss transfer Malcolm White, and a great recruiting class so LSU may be a team that competes next season.
12. South Carolina Gamecocks
Why: This was a one man team from the beginning playing with some other minor players. But Devan Downey may very well be the SEC Player of the Year playing on the worst team. Tragic. But as far as next season South Carolina is going to be in trouble because they LOSE Devan Dwoney. It's going to be rough to be a 'cock next season.

NBA

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

Playoff Preview (team in BOLD is my pick as of today to win their conference; team in Italic is my League Champ)

Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Toronto Raptors
4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Milwaukee Bucks
3. Atlanta Hawks vs. 6. Miami Heat
2. Orlando Magic vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats

Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Denver Nuggets vs. 5. Phoenix Suns
3. Utah Jazz vs. 6. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Dallas Mavericks vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs

NHL

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

Playoff Preview

Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. Boston Bruins
4. New Jersey Devils vs. 5. Ottawa Senators
3. Buffalo Sabres vs. 6. Philadelphia Flyers
2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 7. Montreal Canadians

Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8. Nashville Predators
4. Vancouver Canucks vs. 5. Los Angeles Kings
3. Phoenix Coyotes vs. 6. Colorado Avalanche
2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings

Alright guys let me know what you think.