The Southeastern Conference (SEC) takes center stage in men’s college basketball this week, highlighting the season’s ongoing trend of top-tier matchups. Traditionally known for its dominance in football, the SEC now boasts four of the nation’s top six teams in the latest rankings, with Auburn maintaining the No. 1 spot for the seventh consecutive week. Overall, the conference features eight teams in the AP Top 25, surpassing the Big 12, which has three teams in the top 10 and five in total.
This week’s spotlight narrows down to Alabama, where Auburn (25-2, 13-1) looks to extend its four-game winning streak following a setback against Florida. The Tigers are embarking on a challenging stretch, initially battling Mississippi on Wednesday before taking on No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday. Next week, they will face off against No. 12 Texas A&M and No. 6 Alabama. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide, who are currently tied for second in the SEC alongside the third-ranked Gators, will clash with No. 24 Mississippi State on Tuesday and visit No. 5 Tennessee on Saturday.
“It’s about survival,” said Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl. “The league is so good and so competitive.” Auburn has only two losses this season against teams ranked second (Duke) and third (Florida) and boasts 10 victories over ranked teams, including those currently ranked fourth (Houston), fifth (Tennessee), and sixth (Alabama). Pearl, however, remains focused on bigger aspirations: securing a third regular-season SEC title in eight years, back-to-back conference tournament titles, and potentially the first national championship in the school’s history.
Elsewhere in the SEC, Vanderbilt (18-9, 6-8, No. 43 NET) eyes an NCAA Tournament berth and will visit No. 12 Texas A&M on Wednesday, followed by a matchup with No. 15 Missouri on Saturday. The Commodores join other bubble teams, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, as they precariously work to secure their tournament spots. The Sooners face off against Kentucky on Wednesday and Ole Miss on Saturday, while the Longhorns prepare to encounter Arkansas and Georgia later in the week. Following their game against Texas, the Razorbacks travel to South Carolina on Saturday.
The Big 12 remains a formidable force with three teams in the top 10 and five in the Top 25. Two powerhouses clashed on Monday as No. 4 Houston took on No. 10 Texas Tech, and a Saturday showdown awaits when No. 22 Arizona visits ninth-ranked Iowa State. BYU, entering the fray at No. 25, challenges Arizona State on Wednesday and will meet West Virginia on Saturday.
Elsewhere, No. 8 Michigan State, narrowly leading the Big Ten over No. 15 Michigan, faces a demanding week. They travel to No. 16 Maryland on Wednesday and host No. 11 Wisconsin on Sunday. In the West Coast Conference, No. 23 Saint Mary’s, having already secured the regular-season title, will compete against Loyola Marymount and Oregon State.
