SEC women's basketball power rankings: Buying Vanderbilt women's basketball hype?

Do you believe in the Vanderbilt hype?

For the first time in 21 seasons, the Commodores are 15-1 to open the season, its second-best starting record, after defeating Florida, 63-57, at home Sunday afternoon. Vandy has opened SEC play 2-0 for the first time in 12 years and is currently riding an eight-game win streak.

This team was picked by media the preseason to final dead-last in the league. Shea Ralph, in her third season in Nashville, has gotten her team proving everyone wrong about the Dores and what factor they're going to play in conference this season. Vanderbilt opened SEC play Thursday night by upending a quality Mississippi State team on the road, 71-66.

The blistering hot start for the Commodores have them shooting up this week's SEC power rankings:

1. South Carolina (14-0, 2-0)

Last week: No. 1

Up next: Jan. 11 at Missouri; Jan. 15 Kentucky

When Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks, one of only three remaining undefeated teams in the nation, are disappointed in a 19-point win over Mississippi State, it's likely not going to bode well for whomever's next.

2. LSU (15-1, 2-0)

Last week: No. 2

Up next: Jan. 11 Texas A&M; Jan. 14 at Auburn

After absences and injuries, the Tigers have had their actual starting five together the last three games and what Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow, Hailey Van Lith and Mikaylah Willaims are doing is scary.

3. Vanderbilt (15-1, 2-0)

Last week: No. 8

Up next: Jan. 11 at Kentucky; Jan. 14 Missouri

This SEC beat reporter buys into Vandy's stingy defense that allows 57 points per game. Jordyn Cambridge, Sacha Washington and Iyana Moore's multi-level scoring and the team's ability to win games in various ways.

4. Alabama (14-3, 1-1)

Last week: No. 5

Up next: Jan. 11 at Georgia; Jan. 14 Arkansas

Alabama couldn't handle Ole Miss' aggressive defense in Tuscaloosa for its league opener, but Kristi Curry's team rebounded nicely at Mizzou on Sunday night.

5. Mississippi State (12-4, 0-2)

Last week: No. 3

Up next: Jan. 11 at Arkansas; Jan. 14 Ole Miss

I know what you're thinking, "State is 0-2 in SEC play. Why is it still ranked top-5? Sam Purcell's team had the toughest opening week, playing Vandy and South Carolina, who they hung around with for two-plus quarters in Columbia.

6. Texas A&M (13-2, 1-1)

Last week: No. 4

Up next: Jan. 11 at LSU; Jan. 14 Tennessee

It's time to start talking about the Aggies' inability to score the ball. Just 50 in a loss to Georgia and 66 against Auburn.

7. Tennessee (9-5, 2-0)

Last week: No. 7

Up next: Jan. 11 Florida; Jan. 14 at Texas A&M

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Is there anything the Lady Vols value less than possessing the basketball? Tennessee's turnovers are going to be a problem against the top half of the SEC as conference play rolls on.

8. Ole Miss (11-4, 1-1)

Last week: No. 9

Up next: Jan. 11 Auburn; Jan. 14 at Mississippi State

The Rebels are going to be in every game because of their defense, and it feels like coach Yo's squad giving LSU a scare Sunday puts the rest of the league on notice.

9. Arkansas (12-4, 1-1)

Last week: No. 6

Up next: Jan. 11 Mississippi State; Jan. 14 at Alabama

Arkansas freshman guard Taliah Scott is certainly a bright spot, leading the league in scoring at 22.3 points per game, but Mike Neighbors' team has no idea who it is, losing to Kentucky in its first conference game followed by drumming Georgia by 40 Sunday without Scott.

10. Florida (9-5, 0-2)

Last week: No. 11

Up next: Jan. 11 at Vanderbilt; Jan. 14 Missouri

Kelly Rae Finley and the Gators have lost both of its SEC games so far to South Carolina and Vanderbilt but ESPN still projects them to make the NCAA Tournament, so that's something.

11. Auburn (11-4, 0-2)

Last week: No. 10

Up next: Jan. 11 at Ole Miss; Jan. 14 LSU

Johnnie Harris and company gave the Lady Vols fits last Thursday but then disappeared on the flat plains in College Station on Sunday.

12. Kentucky (8-8, 1-1)

Last week: No. 14

Up next: Jan. 11 Vanderbilt; Jan. 15 at South Carolina

We haven't reached the SEC Tournament yet where Kyra Elzy always coaches her best, but in Kentucky's SEC-opening win over Arkansas, you can see that the Wildcats can be solid.

13. Missouri (9-6, 0-2)

Last week: No. 13

Up next: Jan. 11 South Carolina; Jan. 14 at Vanderbilt

Maybe Robin Pingeton should've worn a wig and some flashy clothes to create some excitement within her team because week one in league play was not ideal.

14. Georgia (10-5, 1-1)

Last week: No. 13

Up next: Jan. 11 Alabama; Jan. 14 at Florida

It's inexcusable to lose to Arkansas without its leading scorer by 40 points. It cancels out a nice win over Texas A&M.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: SEC women's basketball power rankings: Buying Vanderbilt hype?