The SEC is creating a flow chart, making it easy to understand which basketball teams in the conference belong in the upper half and which ones don't.

Can your team win on the road? If the answer is yes, you've got a shot at the SEC crown. If no, then you're playing for an NCAA Tournament spot instead of a conference title.

Home teams have dominated through the first half of the SEC schedule, though the elite teams − as identified in this week's power rankings − have picked up impressive road victories. South Carolina got a big win at Tennessee. Florida won at Rupp Arena against Kentucky. Alabama took down Georgia despite facing a big deficit. Ole Miss got a clutch bucket to win at Texas A&M.

Here's how we think the SEC stacks up as the drama, worthy of drawing Morgan Freeman into the arena, intensifies.

1. Alabama

It’s always interesting to see how a team responds after a big rivalry win. Alabama did it the right way, handling business against LSU before a thrilling comeback victory at Georgia. It’s not easy overcoming a 13-point hole with 11 minutes to play, but when you own the nation’s top scoring offense, it’s doable.

Last week: 2

Record: 15-6

2. South Carolina

The Gamecocks sit at No. 41 in the NET rankings after one of the best wins in the country. Dare we say the metrics are wrong? Coach Lamont Paris’ squad is one of the best stories in the sport.

Last week: 6

Record: 18-3

3. Tennessee

Even in a 63-59 defeat against South Carolina, Dalton Knecht posted 31 points. He’s as good as it gets in the sport and could be what Rick Barnes needs to find success in March.

Last week: 1

Record: 15-5

4. Ole Miss

Tight nonconference contests are hurting Ole Miss in the metrics, but the Rebels proved they’re legit this week. After a back-and-forth road win at Texas A&M, Ole Miss returned home for a win against rival Mississippi State in front of a record crowd at the SJB Pavilion. Jaylen Murray hit clutch shots in both contests. Keep an eye on him as postseason play approaches.

Last week: 7

Record: 18-3

5. Kentucky

Foul when up three points.

Last week: 4

Record: 15-5

6. Florida

The Gators have gone from a frisky SEC team you don’t want to face on the road to a team that can win anywhere – made evident by Wednesday’s win at Kentucky. Walter Clayton is All-SEC worthy, but coach Todd Golden’s team is far from a one-man show. UF has five players who are considered significant contributors (20-24% of possessions used), according to KenPom.

Last week: 8

Record: 15-6

7. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs remain hard to define. MSU has picked up top-10 wins against Auburn and Tennessee, but it has yet to win a true road game. Perhaps the SEC schedule has played a part, with Mississippi State playing just one game against the bottom half of the conference. The Bulldogs need to start stacking wins as the schedule eases up.

Last week: 10

Record: 14-7

8. Auburn

Just as the metrics are too low on South Carolina, perhaps they’re too high on Auburn. Coach Bruce Pearl’s squad was rolling going into a Jan. 24 matchup at Alabama, having won 11 straight games. Since then, a home victory against Vanderbilt is all Auburn has had to show. At some point, Quadrant 1 losses aren’t good enough. The Tigers need some impressive wins.

Last week: 3

Record: 17-4

9. Texas A&M

A&M is hanging on the bubble, according to ESPN’s latest bracketology. The Aggies have a decent resume, highlighted by a 4-4 record in Quad 1 games, but two Quad 3 losses hurt. A&M is projected by KenPom to finish 18-13 overall and 9-9 in SEC play. That likely means coach Buzz Williams will need some SEC tournament wins to feel comfortable about March Madness.

Last week: 5

Record: 12-8

10. Georgia

Georgia was among the hotter teams in the SEC when conference play started. However, as the schedule has gotten tougher, UGA has struggled. Letting a big lead in a Quad 1 game against Alabama slip feels like a missed opportunity.

Last week: 9

Record: 14-7

11. Arkansas

Arkansas won at Missouri. Let’s just focus on that.

Last week: 12

Record: 11-10

FUN IN THE 'SIP: How Mississippi State, Ole Miss brought basketball fever back into heated rivalry

12. LSU

An 11 a.m. contest between LSU and Arkansas is airing on ESPN2 on Saturday.

Last week: 11

Record: 11-9

13. Missouri

Mizzou escaped the, “at least you’re not Vanderbilt” narrative in football. In basketball, the Commodores are the Tigers’ saving grace right now.

Last week: 13

Record: 8-13

14. Vanderbilt

Vandy has a chance at taking the, “at least you’re not Missouri” title on Saturday with a home matchup against the Tigers.

Last week: 14

Record: 5-15

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: SEC basketball power rankings: South Carolina, Ole Miss, Alabama climb