1. Kentucky Wildcats

No brainer here.

2. Tennessee Volunteers

The Vols, incredibly, seem to be playing even better right now without the Four Horsemen. You have to think depth will hurt them eventually, but so far it hasn't.

3. Mississippi St. Bulldogs

After an uneventful OOC slate, the Bulldogs are off to a fast start in SEC play and look to be finally living up to their billing.

4. Mississippi Rebels

The Rebs lost a tough one to their cross-state rivals, but they're still a team to beat in the SEC.

5. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vandy is also off to a good start in SEC play, with wins over the Gators and Tide.

6. Florida Gators

Florida has yet to win an SEC game due to a tough schedule, but this is still a talented team. It's also still an underachiever, though. Will Billy Donovan's seat begin to warm if his team misses the NCAAs again?

7. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide are playing much better basketball under Anthony Grant.

8. South Carolina Gamecocks

It's a shame that his teammates' injuries and shenanigans have probably cost Devan Downey a tourney shot. The guy has taken over for the 'Cocks and so far it's working. The SEC schedule thus far, though, has been easy.

9. Georgia Bulldogs

Expect a couple of upsets out of UGA this year. Another team that made a good hire in the offseason.

10. Arkansas Razorbacks

Now that Courtney Fortson's back, the Hogs are playing basketball again. I wouldn't be surprised to see this team finish higher than this when it's all said and done.

11. LSU Tigers

Clearly in a transition year.

12. Auburn Tigers

Just awful.