SEC Power Rankings: The top 5 SEC teams see significant upheaval, while Auburn Tigers remain stable

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has long been known for its powerhouse basketball programs, and the 2025 season is no exception. However, this season has been one of dramatic shifts, with the top teams seeing significant changes in form, rankings, and aspirations. For Auburn, however, the landscape has remained largely unchanged. While other teams have fluctuated in their performances, Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers have remained a constant force in the league. As the season progresses, let’s break down the top five SEC teams, the chaos surrounding them, and why Auburn has managed to maintain its stability.

1. Auburn Tigers: Stability Amid the Chaos

As one of the most consistent programs in the SEC this season, Auburn has been an example of stability in a conference marked by upheaval. Heading into the second half of the season, the Tigers have maintained their elite status, largely due to their strong roster and well-coached system.

Auburn’s roster, led by Jabari Smith, has been one of the most complete in the country. Smith, a consensus NBA draft lottery pick, has established himself as one of the best players in college basketball. His ability to score from all areas of the court, including from beyond the arc, makes him a matchup nightmare for any opponent. Coupled with the dominant presence in the paint from Walker Kessler, Auburn’s frontcourt has been one of the most formidable in the SEC. Kessler’s shot-blocking and rebounding abilities have been vital to Auburn’s success, especially on the defensive end.

Even with the brief injury scare to Johni Broome, a key player on both ends of the floor, Auburn has shown its ability to persevere. The Tigers have weathered the storm and have remained at or near the top of the SEC standings. Broome’s injury was initially concerning, but his eventual return—and the fact that the Tigers were able to manage his absence—speaks volumes about the depth and resilience of this squad.

Offensively, Auburn is one of the most balanced teams in the country, combining effective ball movement, a strong inside-out game, and the ability to hit crucial three-pointers when needed. Defensively, Bruce Pearl’s system has been a nightmare for opposing offenses, forcing turnovers and turning defense into quick transition points. The team’s combination of offense and defense makes them one of the most complete teams in college basketball.

While teams like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama have seen fluctuations in their play, Auburn has remained relatively steady, maintaining its spot as one of the top teams in the SEC. Even as the competition around them heats up, Auburn’s consistency has been impressive, and they are poised to continue being a national contender as the season enters the home stretch.

2. Kentucky Wildcats: A Rollercoaster Season

After entering the season with high expectations, the Kentucky Wildcats have had a rollercoaster ride in 2025. Head coach John Calipari has long been known for his ability to recruit and develop elite talent, but this season, his team has been inconsistent.

On the positive side, Kentucky’s star player Oscar Tshiebwe has been playing at an All-American level. Tshiebwe, the reigning National Player of the Year, has dominated on the glass and provided Kentucky with a much-needed presence in the post. His rebounding ability is elite, and he’s been the backbone of the Wildcats’ frontcourt. However, his supporting cast has not always lived up to expectations.

TyTy Washington, one of the team’s top guards, has had moments of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. Additionally, Kentucky’s backcourt, which was expected to be a strength, has had issues with turnovers and shooting efficiency. Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz have shown flashes of brilliance, but they’ve often failed to provide the necessary stability in key games.

Defensively, Kentucky has been solid, but they have struggled with matchups against teams that can stretch the floor and exploit their defensive vulnerabilities. While they have the talent to compete with the best in the SEC, the Wildcats have been plagued by inconsistency in both their offense and defense, making it difficult for them to string together wins.

As a result, Kentucky has seen its position in the SEC standings fluctuate, with several surprising losses to teams lower in the rankings. They’ve shown the ability to beat top-tier teams, but their inconsistency has led to early-season setbacks. If they can find more consistency, particularly in their backcourt play, Kentucky has the talent to finish strong in the SEC. However, their recent rollercoaster performances have made it difficult to view them as the runaway contender many expected at the start of the season.

3. Tennessee Volunteers: Rising to the Challenge

Tennessee has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the SEC this season, continuing to build on the momentum from the previous year. Head coach Rick Barnes has once again proven his ability to mold a team into a championship contender, and his Vols are firing on all cylinders.

The key to Tennessee’s success has been its balance between offense and defense. Kennedy Chandler, one of the most dynamic guards in the SEC, has taken on the role of floor general and is playing at an elite level. His ability to drive the lane, shoot the three, and distribute the ball has made Tennessee one of the more dangerous teams in the SEC.

Alongside Chandler, Tennessee has seen outstanding performances from Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James, both of whom have been critical in their offensive production and perimeter defense. The Volunteers have been a tough matchup for teams due to their ability to lock down defensively while also having multiple players capable of scoring in different ways.

Tennessee’s defense, in particular, has been a hallmark of their success this season. Their ability to switch, contest shots, and create turnovers has given them the edge over several high-ranking SEC teams. They’ve been a top-10 defensive team in the nation, and their physicality has proven to be difficult for opponents to handle.

While Tennessee has had some early season hiccups, particularly in road games against lesser-ranked opponents, they have shown a tremendous amount of growth. As the season progresses, Tennessee is poised to make a run at the top spot in the SEC and could very well make a deep run in March Madness if they continue to perform at this level.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide: Inconsistent But Dangerous

At No. 4 in our SEC rankings, Alabama is a team that has been a bit of a mystery this season. Head coach Nate Oats has built a squad known for its high-powered offense, particularly its ability to hit three-pointers at a high clip. However, their season has been marked by wild fluctuations in form, making it difficult to predict how they’ll perform in big games.

On the positive side, Jaden Ivey and Jahvon Quinerly have been crucial to Alabama’s offensive success. Both players can score in bunches and create for their teammates. Noah Gurley and Keon Ellis have also provided strong play in both the front and backcourt. When Alabama is firing on all cylinders, they are a dangerous team that can beat anyone in the SEC, especially with their fast-paced offense and perimeter shooting.

However, Alabama has been prone to inconsistency. They’ve had troubling losses against lower-ranked teams in the SEC, which have kept them from establishing themselves as one of the true contenders in the conference. Their defense, particularly their ability to protect the rim, has been a weak spot. Alabama has struggled in games where they couldn’t hit their shots from deep or find offensive rhythm, leaving them vulnerable to upset losses.

Still, Alabama has the talent to be dangerous in March. If they can find more consistency in both their offense and defense, they’ll be a serious contender in the SEC and beyond. Their success will ultimately depend on their ability to weather the ups and downs that have characterized their season so far.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks: Grit and Determination

Arkansas is a team that has continued to battle despite dealing with its fair share of injuries and roster adjustments. Head coach Eric Musselman has cultivated a scrappy, hard-nosed program that thrives on defensive pressure and transition play. While the Razorbacks have not been as dominant as some of the other teams in the SEC, they remain a dangerous force capable of upsetting higher-ranked teams.

Key to Arkansas’ success has been the play of JD Notae, one of the best guards in the conference. Notae’s ability to create for himself and others has kept Arkansas competitive, even when other areas of the team have struggled. The Razorbacks also boast strong depth, with players like Jaylin Williams and Davonte Davis providing solid contributions on both ends of the floor.

While the Razorbacks have been inconsistent at times, particularly on the offensive end, their defense has been a strong point. They’ve been able to stifle opposing offenses, particularly those reliant on three-point shooting. Arkansas has shown that they can hang with some of the best in the conference, but they’ll need to continue to develop offensive chemistry and consistency if they hope to climb further in the SEC standings.