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Women’s basketball Jan. 23 SEC Power Rankings: Lady Vols take significant dive

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images /

Last week: Defeated the Tennessee Volunteers

Last rank: 1st

There is absolutely no reason to doubt the Mississippi State Bulldogs now. They didn’t win the national championship last year, but that upset over the UConn Huskies has done more than enough to give Vic Schaefer’s team even more confidence going into this year.

And after Sunday’s dominant 71-52 win over the Tennessee Lady Vols, there’s no denying how great these guys are. They now have five wins against Top 25 RPI teams. And not one of those was a close game.

At 20-0 and 6-0 in the SEC, this team is now No. 3 in the RPI with the No. 10 ranked strength of schedule. They are right there on UConn’s level, and don’t think they can’t beat that team again if the two meet in the NCAA Tournament.

Mississippi State is now an elite powerhouse program, and they have to be thinking about going undefeated right now. Their spot in a silly power ranking is so far beneath their goals right now that it seems ridiculous to even write about it. These players are just toying with the conference.

Next: Men's SEC Power Rankings for Monday, Jan. 22

Going forward, Mississippi State is about to stay undefeated. They face the Florida Gators and Ole Miss Rebels this week. So move them up to 22-0. Then they face the Missouri Tigers on the road and South Carolina Gamecocks at home the next week. That next week will define them. If they win both games, then expect them to enter the NCAA Tournament undefeated. Considering that, they are clearly No. 1 in our SEC Power Rankings.