The Tennessee Volunteers win the SEC regular season outright in Columbia on Wednesday night. This is the Vols first outright championship since the 2008-09 season.
Tennessee has been the best team all year in the league and to win the league outright with one game left is rather impressive in this conference. If the Vols win on Saturday, they are prime to be a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. The Vols have beat Auburn, Alabama, and South Carolina to clinch the title. The Vols earned it and this is the most impressive stretch of wins of anyone this season.
This team has the chance to make a Final Four and win a national championship.
Vols win again
This was a heavyweight matchup against two good teams in the SEC. This game was played at South Carolina’s pace and keeping it low scoring was the only chance the Gamecocks had. I thought South Carolina started the game shooting way too many threes and looked like they were trying to make a home run play every time down the floor.
They eventually settled in, but the start was key in Tennessee’s win. This loss doesn’t change my opinion on the Gamecocks, as this is a good team and no one will want to see them in tournament play. I would like them to get out in transition more and try to get easy looks.
When Tennessee gets consistent play from Jonas Aidoo, this team is hard to beat. I believe he is the key for them to make the final four. Aidoo was very good in the first half and the Vols featured him early in this game. Aidoo is very good with his left hand and developed a nice mid-range jump shot. Dalton Knecht did Dalton Knecht things and had stretches where he was unstoppable. I do think Knecht missed a lot of open looks in the second half, these are shots he normally hits.
The Vols used Knecht in a lot of dribble handoffs that I haven’t seen much this year. Down the stretch the Vols went back to their floppy action that they ran against Auburn. I am still surprised that South Carolina let Knecht go one on one all night. You have to mix up your coverages on him.
Rick Barnes has been great on out of bounds plays this year. Dalton Knecht scored eight points on inbound plays and this has been a trend all year. I appreciate the officiating letting the players play, as well. No one comes to see them blow their whistle and I thought they just got out of the way and let the players decide the game. With that being said, I do think Ta’lon Cooper got fouled on the three point attempt late in the game.
Tide embarrassed in Gainesville
I think it's time to be worried about Alabama, as this team is awful away from Tuscaloosa. The Florida Gators blew out Alabama, and I keep saying that no one wants to face the Gators in tournament play. The Florida guards were amazing in this game, as they controlled the pace of the game. The way the Gator guards can get into the paint and get great looks is a recipe for success.
Alabama could not keep the ball in front of them, which as result put Alabama in bad positions on defense. This is a good indicator of why Florida shot 46 free throws. You aren’t going to win any game allowing a team to shoot that many free throws.
This is two games in a row that teams have taken away the three point line from Alabama. Teams are forcing Alabama to take mid range jump shots and they are not taking them. Florida played drop coverage on ball screens, which is basically where the big just sits in the paint, as the on ball defender trails the defender. Alabama is going to have to take some short of mid range shots.
Best of the rest in the SEC
Texas A&M survives a late comeback from Mississippi State. A&M almost blew a 20 point lead, but held on for any chance of making the NCAA tournament. Tolu Smith was in foul trouble, which really hurt Mississippi State. Chris Jans squad has dropped three in a row and are officially on the bubble. The Aggies got support from the role players, which was the key for the victory.
Ole Miss lost their opportunity of making the NCAA tournament, as they fell to Georgia in Athens. I never really believed in this Rebels team, as they just aren’t very good on the offensive end. I’m interested to see what Chris Beard is thinking, as I would be surprised if he doesn’t jump ship.
Arkansas defeated LSU, as Khalif Battle has been playing unbelievable as of late. He had a forty point game earlier this year and now scored 29 points, while shooting 50 percent from the field. It has never been a lack of talent from the Razorbacks, and I think they could upset a team or two in Nashville.
Kentucky survives an early scare from Vanderbilt. Rob Dillingham continues to show why he is going to be a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. Getting Tre Mitchell back is huge for this Kentucky team. This team will be so much fun to follow in tournament play. Auburn defeats Missouri, as Dennis Gates is poised to go winless in the league. An encouraging sign from Auburn as their guard play was very good in this game. This will be the key for Bruce Pearl going forward.
Previewing today's games
The game of the week, in which I think is the game of the year, is in Knoxville as Kentucky comes to town. These are the two best teams in the SEC and this will be an epic showdown. The key matchup to watch will be can Kentucky get enough stops and who besides Dalton Knecht will step up.
South Carolina goes to Starkville to take on MIssissippi State. This is a very difficult situation for the Gamecocks. Mississippi State is fighting for their Tournament lives and South Carolina is coming off a physical, emotional loss.
Texas A&M will travel to Ole MIss, as the Aggies try to make another late Tournament run. This could be a very low scoring game.
Arkansas goes to Tuscaloosa, and I think this could be the upset of the weekend in the SEC. Arkansas has been playing well as of late and Alabama is reeling. Arkansas has the guards to play with the Tide, and have an advantage inside. Georgia goes to Auburn in what could get ugly quick.
Missouri goes to LSU and Florida goes to Vanderbilt. This is the last game of the regular season for everyone and the SEC tournament is setting up to be a great couple of days.