In the last two weeks, teams in the Southeastern Conference have dealt with significant wake-up calls. After the Tennessee Volunteers, currently ranked fifth in the NET rankings, dropped a stunning home loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Gamecocks currently stand at third place in the conference, though their NET ranking lies at 41. 

Not only did the Volunteers shock the country by giving up their home floor, but the Auburn Tigers(currently ranked eighth in the NET Rankings) sustained two back-to-back devastating losses to the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. However, their average margin of loss of five points demonstrates that Bruce Pearl’s squad has the ability to keep games close in some of the most tumultuous playing conditions in the entire country. 

Even more recently, the Kentucky Wildcats dropped another home game to the Florida Gators, though the Cats were missing their prized five-star recruit DJ Wagner. Even with the absence of the guard, Calipari was fortunate to play 7’2”center Zvonimir Ivisic, getting action in his fourth game after being cleared by the NCAA to participate in collegiate games. The Wildcats’ stacked roster couldn’t handle the Gators by the end of the game, resulting in their third SEC loss. 

As conference play continues, the SEC Tournament, held in Nashville, Tennessee, truly will prove which teams can maintain a high level of performance on a neutral site.