Four Things to Watch: SEC Tournament - Thursday preview
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1. #9 Missouri vs #8 Arkansas
The winner plays South Carolina Friday, so this game is of great interest to Gamecock fans. It’s also a game featuring a pair of disappointing teams looking to salvage something from the season, but the game with the most at stake.
Once a top-20 team, Arkansas imploded late in the season and is now on the outside looking in on the NCAA Tournament. ESPN’s Charlie Creme lists Arkansas as the fourth of his first four out, so the Razorbacks desperately need to win this game to keep their hopes alive. And if they win and then pull off a massive upset Friday? That would probably get them in the field.
Missouri probably needs to win the whole thing and claim the automatic bid to make the NCAA Tournament. That’s quite a long shot, but at least the Tigers would like to avenge a 61-33 loss at Arkansas a couple weeks ago.
Tip: Noon ET
Watch: SEC Network
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2. #13 Texas A&M vs #5 Mississippi State
Texas A&M beat Vanderbilt in the opening round even without a big game from Janiah Barker. Barker has been outstanding since her return from injury, but it was another freshman, Sydney Bowles, who scored a career-high 22 points. The future is bright for the Aggies, but that is next season.
Creme has Mississippi State a nine seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs appear safe, but they don’t want to have to find out what a loss could mean.
If Mississippi State takes care of business the Bulldogs would advance to a juicy matchup against Ole Miss Friday. The winner of that game, between the two teams that played South Carolina the toughest this season, would then get a likely rematch against the Gamecocks.
Top 10
- 1New
Tom Brady helped land QB
Michigan got assist on Underwood
- 2
MSU TE hospitalized
Jack Velling injured on first possession
- 3
Rhett Lashlee
SMU coach gets extension
- 4
Justin Fields
OSU legend to make CGD picks
- 5Hot
Bryce Underwood
Michigan flips No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood from LSU
Tip: Approx. 2:00 ET
Watch: SEC Network
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3. #10 Auburn vs #7 Georgia
After three consecutive seasons as a 13 or 14 seed, including last place finishes the past two seasons, it’s a big step in the right direction for Auburn just to get an opening round bye.
Like Mississippi State, Georgia is a nine-seed that appears safe, but doesn’t want to risk a loss. Also like the other Bulldogs, Georgia has a juicy matchup on tap if it wins.
Georgia would play LSU Friday, a team the Lady Bulldogs feel like they should have beaten in their regular season matchup. LSU escaped that with an 82-77 overtime win, but Georgia would have to like its chances for a big resume-boosting win.
Tip: 6:00 ET
Watch: SEC Network
4. #14 Kentucky vs #6 Alabama
The nightcap might be the least interesting game of the day.
ESPN has Alabama as an eight seed, but the Crimson Tide are essentially in the same position as Mississippi State and Georgia.
Hopefully Kentucky got all of the fireworks out of the way Wednesday. Wouldn’t it be wild if the WIldcats (no pun intended) went on another run through the SEC Tournament?
Tip: Approx. 8:00 ET
Watch: SEC Network
