Auburn basketball kicks off SEC play this week when it battles Missouri on Saturday at Neville Arena. Where will they be ranked heading into the matchup?
To the disappointment of many, Auburn is held out of the top-spot for another week in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. The Tigers remain at No. 2 this week, trailing just Tennessee for the No. 1 slot. Iowa State, Duke, and Florida round out the top-five.
Auburn stepped away from competition this week, thus eliminating the opportunity to increase its chances of earning the No. 1 spot. Tennessee remains unbeaten after beating Middle Tennessee, 82-64, last Monday. The Volunteers will put its undefeated record on the line Saturday when it hosts Arkansas, who is receiving votes in this week’s poll.
The SEC is represented by nine teams in this week’s poll. Following Tennessee, Auburn, and Florida in the top 10 are Alabama (No. 6) and Oklahoma (No. 10). Kentucky and Texas A&M are next in line at No. 11 and No. 12 respectively while Mississippi State climbs three spots to No. 16. Ole Miss suffered the biggest fall in this week’s rankings after losing by 17 to then unranked Memphis on Saturday. Ole Miss drops seven spots to No. 23 while Memphis re-enters the poll at No. 25.
Auburn’s first SEC opponent, Missouri, is receiving votes in this week’s rankings. Auburn’s first ranked SEC matchup will take place on Jan. 14 when they host No. 16 Mississippi State at Neville Arena.
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