Tennessee conquers Bud Walton

Arkansas looks like it is ready for the off-season, as the effort in the second half of this game was not very good.

Eric Mussleman also looks like he is halfway out the door. His name has already been linked to the Ohio State job. Tennessee bounces back from a disappointing performance in College Station. Jonas Aidoo continues to be the X-factor for the Vols. When Aidoo is scoring, this team usually wins.  

The Vols got back to being themselves on the defensive end, especially in the second half. I thought they guarded the ball much better, but the help defense was great. Guys were in the gaps and Arkansas players were seeing a crowd when they drove the ball.

The Razorbacks did hit some shots in the first half, but I thought the Vols did a much better job of just sticking to their principles and trusting their help. In the Texas A&M game, the Vols let the A&M shooting affect them early.. They were not disciplined guarding the ball or closing out to the ball. This was much better in the second half against the Razorbacks.

The Vols dominated the paint and I’m not really sure what Arkansas was trying to do on defense. It seemed that the plan was to take away the three point game from the Vols. This is a very interesting plan since we know how Tennessee can struggle to score at times. Another good sign from the Vols was the play from Jordan Gainey. If Gainey can give consistent scoring off the bench, this Vols team will be even better. 

Neville arena conquers South Carolina

I’m not sure I have seen a team be this dominant at home, and then turn into another team on the road.

Auburn is just a different animal at home and the energy that the Jungle creates plays a big factor. This Auburn team’s  effort and confidence is on another level at home. Every team always plays better and hits more shots at home, but everyone hit shots at home for Auburn. I like to call the Tigers style of play “controlled chaos.” This is not bad at all, but I think this chaos is a reason the Tigers have road trouble. 

The jury is still out on the Auburn Tigers, as the tournament is not played at home. Until I see them play better on the road, then the jury is still out on this team. For South Carolina, you have to be a little worried because it's one thing to lose, it’s another to lose by 40.

I’m not sure I have ever seen a team ranked top 15 in the country get beat down like that. I’m really interested to see how this team responds. I’m not saying we need to overreact to one bad game, but it is something that could be concerning.

The one thing I will say about the Gamecocks is that with their style of play, these types of results can happen. South Carolina plays slow and likes to use the entire shot clock. This style works when you are leading, but a team starts to hit some shots and all of sudden you have to play out of character.

This is something that scares me about the Gamecocks come tournament time. 

Kentucky bounces back

DJ Wagner finally looked like himself, as his speed and ability to attack the basket is huge for Kentucky. He is also one of their better defenders. Tre Mitchell is the only concern as he went out of the game with a shoulder injury. Kentucky needs Mitchell to get healthy and regain his form from the beginning of the year. Mitchell is the only real inside threat for the Wildcats.

I do think this Kentucky team still has a chance to make some noise come March.

Kentucky is still the most talented team in the SEC and with the way they can score have the ability to beat anyone. I have been critical of them and they have deserved it, but after taking a deep dive into the season this team isn’t that far away. John Calipari has talked about how this team hasn’t been healthy really the last six weeks. I thought they guarded the ball better on Tuesday.

Now, Ole Miss makes it easy to guard as they do not run much offense at all. They take wild shots and rely on their defense to generate offense. Chris Beard is a great coach and I think there’s a really good chance that he is already plotting his next move. 

Best of the rest from the SEC

Texas A&M might be the most confusing team in the league. On Saturday, they play lights out and beat what I believe is the best team in the SEC in Tennessee. Then on Tuesday, they turn around and lose to Vanderbilt.

Now I did mention that I thought Vanderbilt had a chance to pull the upset as Memorial gym is just a weird place to play. It’s a shame Jerry Stakehouse doesn’t recruit because he is a great basketball mind. I’m just impressed every time by the actions and sets that he comes up with.

This loss puts the Aggies right back on the bubble. A&M’s inability to sustain offense is going to cost them. I’m still confused as to why they went away from the flat middle ball screen that worked so well against Tennessee. This is when the big sets a ball screen with his back to the basket. This really allows the ball handler to get downhill and force switches. 

The Florida Gators are the hottest team in the league as they fend off a late comeback from LSU. This team has a chance to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.

Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton continue to be one of the best backcourts in the conference. I love the way these guys play the game. They are never in a hurry and play at their pace. They use their body very well, which allows them to be very effective in the mid-range area. These two guards play like pros. Young guards should watch how they utilize their body to create space and are able to use bump fades and floaters in the paint area. 

Look ahead to the weekend

The game of the weekend in the SEC is back in Neville arena as the Kentucky Wildcats come to town. College Gameday will be there and the place will be rocking. I’m not sure these young Wildcats have faced an environment like they will face on Saturday.

I think it's key for Kentucky to get off to a good start. They better hit shots early because if they don’t this could be another blowout for Auburn. I look for Auburn to find Johni Broome early in this game. Kentucky has struggled with physical bigs this year. 

Texas A&M goes to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama in what is a contrast in styles. Texas A&M plays great defense and it's very hard to plan for. It’s a switching matchup zone in which they force everything to the baseline with early help.

You will see when Alabama catches the ball in the corner or wing, A&M will have a help defender just waiting in the paint waiting for the ball handler to dribble baseline. I do think Alabama’s five out offense will help them score. I just do not think A&M can score to keep up with the Tide. 

South Carolina hosts LSU in what I think could be a tricky game for the Gamecocks. LSU has lost a lot of close games this year and is due to knock off someone. I do think Will Baker is a matchup problem for South Carolina and I’m interested to see how they guard him. I do think South Carolina will get back to playing their style and I look for Ta’lon Cooper  to have bounce back game.

Florida travels to Athens to take on a struggling Georgia squad. I think this is most likely upset of the day. 

Mississippi State hosts Arkansas in what has the making of being a very ugly game. If Arkansas plays with energy they played with on Wednesday this will be another blowout. I’m not sure if the Bulldogs can score enough for it to be a blowout but I don’t see Arkansas having an answer for Tolu Smith.

Missouri goes to Ole MIss as the Rebels should handle business and Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt in what has the making of getting ugly very quickly.