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SEC women's basketball power rankings: Tennessee Lady Vols pushing for No. 2

cory diaz, lafayette daily advertiser
·5 min read

After weeks of wandering aimlessly through the wilderness, Tennessee has found its way back to where we all thought they'd be all along.

The Lady Vols (14-7, 7-2 SEC) do not have a great overall record, thanks to some nonconference blunders, but they are firing on all cylinders in Southeastern Conference play and currently sit No. 2 behind South Carolina in the conference standings.

These power rankings, however? The Lady Vols have closed the gap on the reigning NCAA champion LSU (19-4, 6-3), who have a couple of head-scratching losses, but have they overtaken them for second in my rankings?

Read on to find out.

1. South Carolina (21-0, 9-0)

Last week: No. 1

Up next: Feb. 8 Missouri; Feb. 11 No. 11 UConn

Kamilla Cardoso won't play the next two games for the Gamecocks as she'll be helping her home country Brazil and its women's team try to qualify for the Olympics. Good thing Ashlyn "Swatkins" Watkins has turned into yet another unstoppable force for Dawn Staley.

2. LSU (19-4, 6-3)

Last week: No. 2

Up next: Feb. 8 Vanderbilt; Feb. Feb. 11 Alabama

Kim Mulkey and the Tigers are third in the SEC standings but truthfully only stayed at No. 2 this week because of Tennessee's loss to Ole Miss last week.

3. Tennessee (14-7, 7-2)

Last week: No. 4

Up next: Feb. 8 at Alabama; Feb. 12 Arkansas

I think Rickea Jackson is having a league MVP-type season and there's no question there's not a more important player to their team in the SEC than her. Tennessee still has games against LSU and South Carolina left on its schedule so Harper and company's final stretch is going to be entertaining.

4. Mississippi State (19-5, 6-3)

Last week: No. 6

Up next: Feb. 8 Georgia; Feb. 11 Florida

No hotter team in the league than Sam Purcell, who dropped it like it was hot on the sideline during the LSU win, and Mississippi State right now.

5. Ole Miss (16-6, 6-3)

Last week: No. 3

Up next: Feb. 8 Texas A&M; Feb. 15 at Florida

Tough to beat South Carolina inside Colonial Life Arena shooting 33%. The Rebels' offense is the only thing concerning about them.

6. Arkansas (17-7, 5-4)

Last week: No. 5

Up next: Feb. 8 at Florida; Feb. 12 at Tennessee

Taliah Scott is back for Mike Neighbors and Arkansas and she dropped 33 points on Auburn. Her return could possibly propel the Razorbacks to a double bye for the SEC Tournament next month.

7. Alabama (18-6, 5-4)

Last week: No. 10

Up next: Feb. 8 Tennessee; Feb. 11 at LSU

Tough week for Alabama upcoming with games against the Lady Vols followed by a Super Bowl Sunday matchup with LSU on the road. But the Crimson Tide has won three straight and Kristy Curry just picked up win No. 500. She's certainly learned plenty on those 500 victories that could help her guide the Tide to big wins.

8. Vanderbilt (17-6, 4-5)

Last week: No. 7

Up next: Feb. 8 LSU; Feb. 11 at Georgia

The Commodores are in free fall right now, losers of four straight. Has Shea Ralph already spent all her magic?

9. Texas A&M (15-6, 3-5)

Last week: No. 8

Up next: Feb. 8 at Ole Miss; Feb. 11 at Kentucky

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Texas A&M is the biggest disappointment in the SEC this season. But Joni Taylor's had a tough time as Janiah Barker, the team's best player, hasn't been healthy in weeks. Barker is arguably the second-most important player to their squad in the conference behind Jackson for Tennessee.

10. Auburn (14-8, 3-6)

Last week: No. 9

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

I know Auburn is teetering right now, but I honestly believe this team led by Honesty Scott-Grayson, who's making a strong case for SEC Player of the Year, can finish hot and end the regular season in the top half of the league come SEC Tournament time.

11. Florida (11-9, 2-6)

Last week: No. 11

Up next: Feb. 8 Arkansas; Feb. 11 at Mississippi State

Looking at Florida's talent and its overall and league records, something just doesn't add up.

12. Missouri (11-11, 2-7)

Last week: No. 13

Up next: Feb. 8 at South Carolina; Feb. 11 Auburn

If Hayley Frank isn't available to play at South Carolina on Thursday night, we could see one of the worst SEC losses of all time.

13. Georgia (11-11, 2-7)

Last week: No. 14

Up next: Feb. 8 at Mississippi State; Feb. 11 Vanderbilt

No longer the cellar dweller in these power rankings. Georgia beat Kentucky in the SEC's ultimate pillow fight Sunday.

14. Kentucky (9-14, 2-7)

Last week: No. 12

Up next: Feb. 11 Texas A&M; Feb. 15 at Auburn

Kentucky let an early 22-7 lead slip away against a bad Georgia team on the road. Wildcats haven't won a game away from Lexington and it feels like you can sharpie in a one-and-done result for the SEC Tournament in a couple of weeks.

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: Tennessee pushing for No. 2