STF Conference Reports: SEC 2/28

It was an interesting seven days in the SEC, that's for sure. Since Saturday, we've seen an SEC team beat the number one team in the country; gain the vacated top spot; and then lose it less than 48 hours later.

Business as usual, wouldn't you say.

A few reports ago, I mentioned something about Joe Lunardi predicting six SEC teams would make the Big Dance. As of today, this number has been reduced to five, with Tennessee, Vandy, Florida, Arkansas, and Mississippi State being the recipients. Not too bad for a conference that's supposed to be mediocre this year, aye?

Don't be surprised if this number winds up increasing by one, either... I'm looking at you, UK. OK, on with the update:

Team of the Week - Vanderbilt
This award was decided Tuesday night when Vandy beat the Volunteers in Nashville. Had UT won that game, they'd be sitting here right now. Just how good are the Commodores? Well, during the last seven days, Vandy beat Georgia and Tennessee (both home games). Currently, their SEC record stands at 9-4, one game behind Kentucky and two behind Tennessee.

This should be one hell of an SEC Tournament in a couple of weeks.

Worst Team of the Week - Ole Miss
After a brilliant 14-0 start to their season (albeit, against a cupcake schedule) the Rebels have found conference play to be a much tougher animal. After last night's loss to UK (a game that saw Ole Miss trail by 20-plus points, only to lose by four), Andy Kennedy's bunch stands at 4-9 in the SEC. What makes Ole Miss' record even more confounding is after beating rival Mississippi State last Wednesday, they turn around and lose by 20 to LSU.

When you add in last night's near miss, the positive vibes from the MSU win are all gone.

Player of the Week - Shan Foster
Not much debate this week. Against the Vols on Tuesday, Foster had 32 points. During the Georgia win last Saturday, Foster scored 29. These back-to-back performances by Foster may have also shut the door on the SEC Player of the Year race.

In order for him not to win it, Vandy will have to go completely in the tank, led by an incredible Foster slump. Of course, Chris Lofton could catch even more fire and decide he too wants to score 30 points a game and might just start launching as soon as he crosses half-court.

During his torrid two-game stretch, Foster was 9-18 from the 3-point arc and 12-15 from the free throw line.

Games to Watch
3/1 Alabama at Ole Miss
3/1 Vanderbilt at Arkansas
3/1 Mississippi State at Florida [CBS] 4:00
3/1 South Carolina at Auburn
3/2 Kentucky at Tennessee [CBS] Noon
3/2 Georgia at LSU
3/4 Arkansas at Ole Miss [ESPN] 9:00
3/5 Kentucky at South Carolina
3/5 Georgia at Auburn
3/5 Alabama at LSU
3/5 Mississippi State at Vanderbilt
3/5 Tennessee at Florida