The Weekend Ahead In The SEC: February 19-20
By Paul Jordan
We are now entering the last few weeks of conference play before the postseason gets underway, and the SEC is finally starting to even out. In the West, Alabama is in cruise control with everyone else at least four games behind. In the East, Florida is at 9-2, with Vanderbilt two games behind and UK, Tennessee, and Georgia three games behind. This week should separate the pack a bit more so it will help determine the seedings for the SEC Tournament in a few weeks.
Saturday:
Georgia vs. Tennessee: After losing three in a row, the Volunteers came back during the week and won one against South Carolina. Now, they face Georgia at home. They narrowly edged the Bulldogs in Athens in January, without Bruce Pearl. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent lately as well. The key matchup to watch in this game is Scotty Hopson against Travis Leslie. It will be interesting to see if each team can step up their defense to hold down one of these players, each of them being two of the top players in the SEC. I give the edge to the Volunteers in this game, not only because of their homecourt advantage, but also for the frontcourt duo of Tobias Harris and Brian Williams and their ability to score and rebound. This game, regardless, will help split a three-way tie for third place in the SEC East.
Ole Miss vs. Mississippi St.: Both of these teams have had an up and down season so far, especially the Bulldogs. After losing two of their starters for a considerable amount of time in December due to an altercation, and now losing Ravern Johnson indefinitely due to “violating team rules”, Dee Bost has been able to step up for them. The Bulldogs were able to beat the Rebels in Oxford last month, and look to do so again tomorrow. Bost’s 17.5 ppg is what should help bring a much needed victory home for the Bulldogs. This game will help break a three-way tie in the SEC West.
No. 18 Vanderbilt vs. Auburn: Let’s cut straight to the facts; Despite how disappointing the SEC might be compared to before, Auburn is the biggest disappointment in the conference. I don’t mean to bash on the Tigers; they have a new head coach, but they aren’t that much improved from previous seasons and have put on some really embarrassing games, as well as some where they just fell short. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is looking for their fifth straight win, and with the way John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor are playing, I don’t see them being stopped on the road.
Arkansas vs. Alabama: I guess the same reason Arkansas has lost so many close games is the same excuse Kentucky and other teams can use: close games. The Hogs have won their past two easily (one being an non-conference game), but lost the previous three. What the Hogs need is a spark to pull them through the three-way tie for second place. The Tide, however, have been hands down the most consistent team in conference play. Florida might have the same record, but they have had some fluke wins as well. JaMychal Green, not Rotnei Clarke, will be the player that takes over this game. The Hogs will lose, yet again a close one.
Sunday:
No. 15 Florida vs. LSU: The Gators might have gotten away with some lucky wins here and there, but they have still put together some good games. Despite not having Chandler Parsons tomorrow due to an injury suffered last weekend, the Gators have other clutch shooters such as Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker in the backcourt, and Vernon Macklin in the frontcourt. The Gators defense will be the difference maker in this game; look for them to win with ease in Baton Rouge Sunday.
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