Tennessee/Mississippi State

This game was a start to what was ahead and the Bulldogs blew out Tennessee. I am not sure I have seen a Rick Barnes club get physically dominated like they did in this game. Tolu Smith and Jimmy Bell physically dominated the Vols inside. This has been a growing theme for Vols, as they have struggled all year against good post play.

It is just one game, but there are some growing concerns with this Vols team. The most glaring today was how bad the Vols were at keeping MIssissippi State out of the paint. They let the Bulldogs shoot 60% from the field. 

This win solidifies Mississippi State in the NCAA tournament and they will be a trendy pick to upset a higher seed come next week. The Bulldogs defense was very impressive as they really flustered Tennessee. They were physical with Knecht and did not let Tennessee run their stuff. This was a huge win for Mississippi State and basketball is a game of matchups and this is not a good matchup for Tennessee. 

Auburn/South Carolina

Auburn was the most impressive team of the day. They rolled South Carolina and looked like a final four team. Johni Broome was unbelievable and controlled the offensive glass. They are in the driver's seat to raise the SEC tournament crown.

I said in the preview that the Auburn guards needed to produce and they did just that. Aden Holloway really played well and thought he really controlled the pace of the game, as well as doing a great job of getting to his spots and knocking down shots. Auburn continued their great play on the defensive end. 

Obviously a very disappointing ending for South Carolina, but like I said with the Vols, this is a bad matchup for the Gamecocks. Nothing really went right for South Carolina today and I think this is just a regroup and getting ready for the NCAA Tournament. 

Texas A&M/Kentucky

Big Blue goes home again after a short run in the SEC tournament. I know many Kentucky fans are very upset and they should be, but Texas A&M played the best they have played all year. Tyrese Radford was unbelievable as he really controlled the game in the second half. A&M put the Kentucky bigs in constant pick and rolls and they really struggled to guard on the perimeter.

Wade Taylor also played like a first team all conference player as he hit a bunch of big threes in the first half. This win solidifies A&M in the touranment. 

For Kentucky, this is another disappointing loss in tournament play, but you have to tip your cap to A&M because they just hit the shots to win the game. The bigs for Kentucky were outmatched and again this is not a favorable matchup for Kentucky. I do think Kentucky pressed a little bit in the second half when the Wildcats had a chance to get back in the game.

The bigs for Kentucky are just not giving you anything inside and are really not physical enough inside. Justin Edwards, who has been playing really good ball, did not have a great game and I think he is the X-factor moving forward. 

Alabama/Florida

Another game that was a letdown, but Florida looked dominant tonight against the Tide. Florida really pounded the ball inside to Tyrese Samuel and he really did a great job of finishing around the rim. Alabama just is very bad at guarding the ball and Florida got anything they wanted on Offense.

Todd Golden continues to impress. Unless Alabama starts playing better defense, this team will not make it out of the first weekend. Alabama needs to get more out of their role players. Marc Sears did not have his best game and no one stepped up to help the star out. 

I do think these games show how deep this league is and that it is also important to remember that these games mean absolutely nothing for the top seeds. Tennessee and Kentucky had nothing to gain this week and their focus should be on the Tournament that matters. 

Semifinals Preview

Mississippi State/Auburn

The first semifinal game will be about physicality and can Mississippi State do to Auburn what they did to Tennessee. I think this is going to be a really good game and think Auburn has the upper hand. The Tolu Smith and Johni Broome matchup will be one to watch, as these are the best two bigs in the league.

Another big question is can the Auburn guards continue their good play from yesterday. Josh Hubbard is going to score, which means an Auburn guard is going to have to step up. I look for Aden Holloway to be aggressive early. 

These teams split in the regular season and each team won at home. I look for Mississippi State to try and get Aden Holloway in screening actions to see if Auburn will switch, the Bulldogs did this a lot with Zakai Ziegler yesterday. For Auburn, I think they will try to establish Johni Broome early and often. Mississippi State switches defenses a lot and plays a weird matchup zone. Look for Auburn to use their flex slip actions to combat the MIssissippi State defense.

Texas A&M/Florida

Both teams have already played two games and this game has two contrasting styles. The Aggies answered every run Kentucky went on yesterday and I am interested to see if they can make those shots today. Both of these teams are excellent on the glass and it will be a man's game for rebounds today. Both backcourts are phenomenal and this might be the best matchup of the day.

Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton matched up against Wade Taylor and Tyrese Radford. This will be fun to watch. Florida will need to take care of the ball and get great movement against the Aggies. I look for Florida to really push the pace in this game.

For Texas A&M, the Aggies just need to keep doing what they are doing. The role guys are making shots and Radford and Taylor are playing like the best backcourt in the league. This team is finally looking like what we all thought they would be in the preseason. The Aggies shot the ball great last night, but can they make shots today? Basketball is a game of percentages and eventually the percentages will even out. 

For SEC fans this is probably a disappointing tournament as I do not think anyone expected this to be the semifinal games. One thing that is interesting is that besides Alabama-Florida, who split in the regular season, every team that won yesterday, won the regular season matchup. Florida also just beat Alabama a couple of weeks ago.

Also, Texas A&M and MIssissippi State play a weird matchup zone defense and like Syracuse back in the day, these teams are hard to prepare for in a winner take all matchup. I am hoping that we get closer games because let's face it, the games this week have been very competitive.