Tennessee continues reign at No. 1
1. Tennessee (No Change): As long as Tennessee (19-2, 7-0) keeps the zero in the SEC loss column, it’ll continue to remain atop the standings. The Lady Volunteers’ most recent loss was over a month ago at Baylor, and since then, only LSU has come within single digits. With Mississippi State and Arkansas upcoming, Tennessee is unlikely to lose its place at the top. – Isabelle Khurshudyan
2. Georgia (Up 1): The Bulldogs are riding a seven-game win streak since their surprising loss to Louisiana Tech and boast a perfect conference record; however, the next two games for Georgia (16-3, 6-0) will be difficult as it prepares for road matchups at South Carolina and LSU. With both displaying strong home records, the Bulldogs should be in for a challenge. – IK
3. Kentucky (Up 3): Since starting conference play with two straight losses, Kentucky (15-4, 4-2) has made it clear that it deserves its top-20 rankings. The Wildcats enter the week riding a four-game winning streak, including a 10-point victory over Vanderbilt on Sunday. With Ole Miss and Alabama next on its slate, UK’s streak should be up to six when it hosts Auburn next Thursday. – Ryan Velasquez
4. Auburn (Up 3): After three consecutive SEC wins, including a 45-41 comeback against Mississippi State, the Tigers (12-8, 5-2) received a pounding at the hands of Tennessee. A full week of rest should work to Auburn’s advantage as it prepares to host South Carolina on Sunday before traveling to Kentucky. – Paulina Berkovich
5. Vanderbilt (No Change): Following the trend set in nonconference play, the Commodores have been perfect at home but can’t seem to find success on the road. Other than a 16-point victory at lowly Alabama, Vanderbilt (13-7, 4-3) is 1-3 on the road in the SEC and 2-7 on the year. With home matchups with Ole Miss and LSU coming up, Vandy should be in good shape when it travels to Florida. – RV
6. LSU (Up 4): The Tigers have won their past two contests in dominating fashion, thrashing Ole Miss by 35 points before handing Florida a 14-point loss behind a double-double by LaSondra Bennett. LSU (14-7, 4-3) hosts Arkansas tonight, but Sunday’s matchup against Georgia will really give the team an opportunity to prove itself against a top opponent. – PB
7. South Carolina (Up 1): Conference play has been an up-and-down affair for South Carolina (11-9, 3-4), particularly against ranked opponents and on the road. Hosting No. 24 Georgia tonight, the Lady Gamecocks may be in position to improve in one of those categories. If Carolina is to pull off the upset, another strong showing from Ieasia Walker will be crucial. – RV
8. Arkansas (Down 6): Riding a two-game losing streak, the Razorbacks head to Baton Rouge tonight to face rival LSU. A win would be valuable to the Hogs. At 3-4 in the conference and 15-4 overall, Arkansas can ill-afford to fall two games below .500 in league play, especially considering Tennessee comes to Fayetteville on Sunday. – James Kratch
9. Ole Miss (No Change): The Rebels shook off a four-game losing skid this Sunday with a road win at Arkansas. It doesn’t get easy for them from there, however. Ole Miss (9-9, 2-4) will host UK tonight before hitting the road for an Eastern swing against Vanderbilt and Florida. – JK
10. Florida (Down 6): Florida (12-9, 2-5) has lost four straight to put it near the bottom of the standings. Luckily for the Gators, they face Alabama and Mississippi State next, both sporting winless SEC records. If Florida could build some momentum, it could be poised for upsets down the road. – IK
11. Mississippi State (Up 1): Losers of seven straight, the Lady Bulldogs almost certainly will drop their eighth in a row tonight when they host Tennessee in Starkville. The good news? Only a date with Florida remains between Mississippi State (8-10, 0-6) and a Feb. 24 meeting with Alabama, which will come to be known as “The Battle of the Basement. – JK
12. Alabama (Down 1): The Crimson Tide continues to struggle in SEC play, with a defeat at South Carolina marking its seventh straight conference loss. Tonight’s game against Florida offers Alabama (11-9, 0-7) an opportunity to snatch its first SEC win, and with Kentucky next on the schedule, it had better take advantage. – PB