To say that it was a big disappointment in the first weekend for the SEC is an understatement. Only two teams survived the weekend and only three teams won a game.
To make things worse two of the top teams in Kentucky and Auburn were upset by double digit seeds. Greg Sankey might want to rethink expanding the tournament.
Let’s not ruin the best postseason event in sports.
1st Round Recap
Mississippi State vs. Michigan State
The first game of the tournament on Thursday and this game was not really a close game. I was very disappointed in how the Bulldogs played as they just never could get into any rhythm on the offensive end of the ball.
I thought Matthews getting into foul trouble was a big hit for Mississippi State. He played so well in the SEC tournament and his versatility on offense and defense was missing. I also thought Josh Hubbard was playing a little too fast and showed his inexperience in this game. He had good looks, but was rushing his shots a little bit. In the end, Michigan State has the experience and Tom Izzo.
Mississippi State loses a lot of key pieces and will need to hit the portal.
Oregon vs. South Carolina
I know many Carolina fans are upset about this performance, but this was a really bad matchup for the Gamecocks and Oregon was playing really great ball. It doesn’t help that former Gamecock Jermaine Couisnard went for 40, but this loss shouldn’t take away from what was a great season for South Carolina.
The NCAA tournament is all about matchups, but as I said before this was a tough draw for Lamont Paris.
Kentucky vs. Oakland
What is going on in Lexington? The game plan that Kentucky had in this game was just not very good basketball.
They let Oakland do exactly what they wanted to do. They slowed the game down and made Kentucky second guess themselves. Kentucky has been the best at passing the ball up the court and running in transition. They never tried to push the pace, rather they dribbled way too much. Kentucky has been very bad on defense all year and I am not sure how you can let a guy hit 10 threes on you.
I will be the first to admit that Gahlke hit some very difficult shots, but once you let a guy hit a couple then he is in rhythm and it really doesn’t matter. The guy has hit over 100 threes this year and how you continually let him get his shot off is hard to believe.
Kentucky’s inability to be in the right position on defense was a big factor in this. Gahlke continued to get open looks because the Wildcats are so bad at defensive positioning.
Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s
This game was over at the first media timeout and there’s really nothing to talk about as Tennessee took care of business and destroyed the Peacocks. The Vols did what Kentucky could not do two years ago.
Yale vs. Auburn
This was also a shocker, but I have warned Auburn fans all year about the out of control offense at times and the lack of guard play. Losing Chad Baker-Mazara was a big loss, but this Auburn team should have beaten Yale without him.
I thought it really came down to the lack of guard play for the Tigers. They had a ten point lead and the inability to make free throws down the stretch, cost the Tigers the game. To win in March, you have to have guys that have been in the tournament. This tournament is different than any basketball game a player has ever played and the pressure got to Auburn and Kentucky.
There is no other way to say it than the Auburn Tigers choked and its disappointing because the Tigers had a real chance of beating UCONN.
Colorado vs. Florida
This was a fantastic basketball game and has to be a hard loss to swallow for Florida fans. These two teams haven’t played much defense all year and it showed.
I am not sure how the officials let the KJ Simpson get away with an obvious push off on the game winning shot, but it was not called. I have been high on Todd Golden and think he is one of brightest young minds in College Basketball, but he let the moment get to him in this game. His technical foul is something that just can not happen in this type of moment. I truly believe this might have cost the Gators the game.
After all of that, I am very high on the Gators going forward in the Todd Golden era.
Texas A&M vs. Nebraska
What a game for the Aggies, in what was basically an away game for A&M. Nebraska has zero interest in playing defense and they let the Aggies get anything they want.
Wade Taylor set the tone from the beginning and hit some shots, but the X-factor was Manny Obaseki. His rise has lead to the Aggies great play of late. His ability to attack the basket has really opened up Wade Taylor and Tyrese Radord.
A&M hit 13 threes and that’s why this game was a double digit win.
Alabama vs. Charleston
Alabama decided to play defense in the first half, which lead to a 17 point lead at halftime. Now, they didn’t play good defense in the second half, but they didn’t need it.
Mark Sears was unbelievable in this game and I thought his toughness and grit really set the tone for the Tide. The Tide got contributions from everyone and this type of team ball is very encouraging in March. I thought the Tide would be in a close game and they really came out and played with an attitude that hasn’t been there in a while.
I always said if the Tide decide to play defense, they can make a run in this tournament.
Second Round Recap
Tennessee vs. Texas
This game might have taken about 10 years off my life. I was in attendance for this game and I think every Vol fan said here we go again.
This is the exact performance that has eliminated Tennessee in the past. This team could not make a shot in this game and it was not because Texas played good defense, but Tennessee just did not make any open looks. I thought they ran a lot of good actions, but never could capitalize.
I thought Josiah Jordan-James was great in this game and he hit a big three to put the fouls up five late in the game. I give the Vols a lot credit because they shot horrible, but they made their free throws late to win the game.
The Vols won the game and at this point that is all that matters.
Alabama vs. Grand Canyon
The Tide are starting to come together and I am loving the edge this team is playing with. They are starting to play defense and play with the toughness needed in March.
Mark Sears scored 26 points, but they won this game because of Sears attitude. Sears is playing with an edge and toughness that is starting to wear off on everyone else. This is a very good Grand Canyon team and has a lot of high major talent.
Alabama is moving on and starting to click at the right time.
Texas A&M vs. Houston
This was the best game of the weekend and the energy and intensity in this game is what March is all about. I thought going into this that it would be a defensive type game and teams would struggle to score, but both teams were pretty good on offense.
Texas A&M has to be kicking themselves on this one, as they let a great opportunity to upset a number one seed and make the sweet 16 slip away. Houston was in foul trouble all night and by the end of OT, the Cougars had four starters foul out. This game was settled at the free throw line and the Aggies inability to make them. It is the little things that cost you in March and making free throws are one of them.
A&M was 29-45 from the free throw line, and you are going to lose these types of games every time with those numbers. I thought Buzz Williams had a great plan of attacking this Houston defense and using the physicality of Houston to their advantage. I have not seen a team drive the Cougars like the Aggies did, but they just did not capitalize on them. Wade Taylor has been great this season, but I have also said that he will take a few bad shots.
I thought his shot selection in this game in critical points really hurt the Aggies. Late in Overtime, he took a couple of bad shots and it is a shame because he is such a great player and has had a really good year.
Be on the lookout for a preview of the two SEC teams in the Sweet 16. I know everyone loves the upsets, but with the majority of the higher seeds winning, it sets up for a great weekend of games to come.