SEC Basketball: Power rankings heading into the SEC season

SEC Basketball Power Rankings:
No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels

Ranking Ole Miss 4th was difficult.

On one hand, the Rebels are the only undefeated team left in the SEC. At 13-0, Chris Beard’s team seems to be one of the most improved in the conference. On the other hand, they almost lost to bad squads like Detroit Mercy (yes, that’s a real team) and Temple. A blowout over a mediocre NC State team and a close win over Memphis are the only good wins on the schedule so far.

But being undefeated has to count for something, though, it certainly won’t last for much longer as the SEC schedule is grueling.

The Rebs are not a good rebounding team (13th in the SEC), but other than that, they have not shown many substantial weaknesses.

Beard’s team relies heavily on their three primary guards as Matthew Murrell, Allen Flanigan, and Jaylen Murray score about 49 of their team’s 76 points per game. Jamarion Sharpe holds down the defense as his 3 blocks per game are on pace to lead the conference. 

Thanks to the weak strength of schedule they’ve played so far, in order to make their first NCAA Tournament since Kermit Davis took a team of Andy Kennedy’s players to the Big Dance, Ole Miss will need to get to at least 9 or 10 wins in SEC play.