SEC Seinfeld Index: January 3

Yesterday morning, everything was looking up for SEC Basketball; then, three of the league’s four ranked teams lost last night. What’s happening on this newfound battlefield of conference play?

Here’s my weekly breakdown, as told by Seinfeld GIFs.

“It’s go time”

 #17 Kentucky (11-2, 1-0)

SEC Play: 1-0 (Beat Georgia 66-61)

The first half wasn’t pretty, but Kentucky survived its Louisville hangover to grind out a win over Georgia on Sunday night. The road’s about to get a lot tougher, with away games at LSU and Tennessee and a showdown with Texas A&M on Tuesday night.

Next up: at LSU, at #23 Tennessee 

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Shrinkage

 #11 Texas A&M (11-3, 0-2)

SEC Play: 0-2 (Lost at Alabama 79-57, Lost vs. Florida 83-66)

Texas A&M has been without three starters the past two games; as a result, they’ve lost both by sizable margins. Admon Gilder and Duane Wilson have been out with knee injuries, while leading scorer D.J. Hogg just finished up a three-game suspension for an undisclosed team rules violation. That makes the Aggies’ slide a little more understandable, but still, it ain’t good. That loss to Florida at home will sting on the resume.

Next up: vs. LSU, at #17 Kentucky

 #23 Tennessee (9-4, 0-2)

SEC Play: 0-2 (Lost at Arkansas 95-93 OT, Lost vs. Auburn 94-84)

Tennessee continues to shoot itself in the foot, blowing leads vs. Auburn and Arkansas. The Vols had the game in Fayetteville won, but let the Razorbacks storm back from a nine-point deficit with four minutes left to force overtime and win. All of that being said, Saturday’s game in Knoxville is still a major trap game for the Cats; not only has Kentucky lost two straight in Thompson-Boling, the Vols will be pissed off and probably play their best game of the season.

Next up: vs. #17 Kentucky, at Vanderbilt

 #22 Arkansas (11-3, 1-1)

SEC Play: 1-1 (Won vs. Tennessee 95-93 OT, Lost at Mississippi State 78-75)

Tennessee basically gave Arkansas the win in overtime on Saturday, which resulted in the Razorbacks’ first appearance in the AP Poll since March 2015; unfortunately, they stumbled on the road in Starkville last night.

Next up: at Auburn, vs. LSU

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Spongeworthy

Auburn (13-1, 1-0)

SEC Play: 1-0 (Won at #23 Tennessee)

Look at ya, Auburn! Last night’s win over Tennessee in Knoxville was huge for the Tigers, who continue to impress without Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley (suspended indefinitely over eligibility concerns). It was also Bruce Pearl’s first win at Tennessee since he was fired in 2011. The Vols have a history of squandering opportunities, so Auburn’s win may be fool’s gold; we’ll find out more when the Tigers host #22 Arkansas on Saturday.

Next up: vs. #22 Arkansas, vs. Ole Miss

 Mississippi State (13-1, 1-0)

SEC Play: 1-0 (Won vs. #22 Arkansas 78-75)

Is Mississippi State for real? They managed to knock off #22 Arkansas despite shooting only 4-22 from three-point range, their first win over a ranked opponent since 2011. Road games vs. rival Ole Miss and Florida will tell us more.

Next up: at Ole Miss, at Florida

 Florida (10-4, 2-0)

SEC Play: 2-0 (Won vs. Vanderbilt 81-74, Won at #11 Texas A&M 83-66)

Florida sits atop the SEC with two wins, and when they’re hitting their threes like they were vs. A&M (they hit 17), they can’t be stopped; when they’re not, they’re totally vulnerable. Remember, last month, the Gators lost to Loyola-Chicago at home after going 2-19 from the outside.

Next up: at Missouri, vs. Mississippi State 

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Yada Yada Yada

 Alabama (9-5, 1-1)

SEC Play: 1-1 (Won vs. #5 Texas A&M 79-57, Lost at Vanderbilt 76-75)

Alabama rebounded from a disappointing loss to Texas with a huge win over Texas A&M…then turned around and lost to Vanderbilt last night. Granted, the game was at Memorial Gym and the Crimson Tide only lost by one, but it’s further proof that no one is safe in the SEC this season.

Next up: at Georgia, vs. South Carolina

Georgia (9-3, 0-1)

SEC Play: 0-1 (Lost at #16 Kentucky 66-61)

As always, Mark Fox’s team is good but not good enough to take the next step, which, in this case, was a win over Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

Next up: vs. Ole Miss, vs. Alabama

LSU (9-3, 0-0)

SEC Play: 0-0

Will Wade’s squad beat Memphis last Thursday but is about to embark on a brutal stretch of ranked opponents, starting with #17 Kentucky tonight. Let’s see what you’re made of, Tigers.

Next up: vs. #17 Kentucky, at #11 Texas A&M

Missouri (10-3, 0-0)

SEC Play: 0-0

Missouri will also play its first conference game tonight at South Carolina. After a week and a half break, will they be rusty or rested?

Next up: at South Carolina, vs. Florida

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Eh…

Vanderbilt (6-8, 1-1)

SEC Play: 1-1 (Lost at Florida 81-74, Won vs. Alabama 76-75)

Is Vanderbilt good? Last night, they managed to do what they haven’t been able to yet this season: win a close game at home, beating Alabama by one. I still don’t think the Commodores will live up to their preseason hype, but last night proves they can still catch teams off guard with that weird gym, which Kentucky’s freshmen will get to experience for the first time a week from Saturday.

Next up:at South Carolina, vs. #23 Tennessee

Ole Miss (8-5, 1-0)

SEC Play: 1-0 (Win vs. South Carolina 74-69)

Ole Miss and South Carolina might be the worst teams in the league this year, so don’t color me too impressed by the Rebel Black Bears’ win over the Gamecocks on New Year’s Eve.

Next up: at Georgia, vs. Mississippi State

South Carolina (9-4, 0-1)

SEC Play: 0-1 (Lost at Ole Miss 74-69)

South Carolina had the lead vs. Ole Miss but fell apart down the stretch. Combine that with a 16-point loss to Clemson a few weeks back and I can see what Frank Martin is so angry all the time.

Next up: vs. Missouri, vs. Vanderbilt

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