SEC Basketball: Who's the Favorite to Win the Conference?

As the first set of games is finishing up and week two begins in the SEC, many questions still remain in this league. Which team is the favorite? Who will withstand grueling conference games to make it come March?

When the season began, many college basketball analysts knew that the SEC was going to be in yet another transition year. The league would have a few ranked teams and have a repeat performance of last season, but no one thought this bad.

Tennessee appeared to be the favorite as usual in the SEC, with Florida coming in at a hard-fought second. The Kentucky Wildcats were still rebuilding and were thought to finish third, but things have changed since mid-November.

So where does everyone rank? Here's a list of rankings for the best six teams, who all have tournament implications come March.

6. LSU Tigers 12-3 (0-1)

The LSU Tigers started the season off with a run of victories. The Tigers were receiving votes in both polls and were thought to have been competing for an SEC title. However, the Tigers have shown you must compete on the road to prove your excellence. The Tigers are 0-3 on the road, which includes a 30-point drubbing to Utah.

5. Florida Gators 14-2 (1-0)

The Gators have won eight straight games, including their SEC opener. Florida has not earned a résumé victory yet. The Gators' two hardest games of the season have been defeats to Florida State and Syracuse. By the middle of the SEC schedule, the Gators should have a better understanding of how they stand with other teams.

4. Kentucky Wildcats 12-4 (1-0)

The Wildcats have slowly started to redeem themselves since their 0-2 start in November. Although the Wildcats have a win over West Virginia on a neutral court, the Wildcats have only played two road games all season. With cheering crowds on the road, comes more pressure. Kentucky has struggled to control the ball this season. The game on Tuesday at Tennessee should show a little more of where the Wildcats stand in the SEC.

3. Tennessee Volunteers 10-4 (1-0)

Tennessee has some very quality wins this season. Because of these wins, which include wins over Georgetown and Marquette on neutral courts, the Volunteers are in no way in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament. However, they are starting to lose their grip as the SEC bully.

With quality wins, comes inconsistency with Tennessee. The Volunteers have followed quality wins with questionable defeats. Twice this season, Tennessee has lost two of three games. After two losses to Gonzaga and a loss to Temple by 16, Tennessee is still finding themselves. Their next two games against Kentucky and South Carolina should tell if the Volunteers can stay on track.

2. South Carolina 12-2 (1-0)

Maybe the biggest surprise thus far, South Carolina started the season with a crushing loss in overtime to Charleston. That's a loss you want to get away from, but since that game in late November the Gamecocks have proven to be the most consistent team in the SEC. They have won eight of their last nine games, with the lone loss to an undefeated team in Clemson.

South Carolina is 2-1 on the road, including a huge one point win at Baylor. After beating Auburn to open conference play, South Carolina must continue to show it can play on the road with two big games at LSU and Tennessee.

1. Arkansas 12-2 (0-1)

After starting the season 2-1 and having an unfortunate loss to Missouri State, Arkansas has gone on a flurry. The Razorbacks have won two games against Top 10 schools. The wins over Oklahoma and Texas have given them national exposure.

The latest loss to Mississippi State has brought Arkansas back to reality a little, but no one else has proven themselves with two bigger wins than Arkansas has gotten. Two road games against Mississippi and Florida will show if Arkansas is truly the favorite.