Razorbacks victorious in Overtime

Arkansas battles back from a double digit halftime deficit to beat Vanderbilt. This was a great game to start the tournament and hopefully is a sign to come for the rest of the week. Vanderbilt came out of the gate hot and hit some shots. Ezra Manjon was incredible for Vanderbilt as he is such a fast and twitchy guard that can do a lot of damage in the paint. He hit the tying shot to go into overtime.

Arkansas went on a run in the second half and the Razorbacks really sped up the Commodores. Vandy took care of the ball early in the game, which led to them having the lead, but they turned the ball over too many times in the second half.

Arkansas had very balanced scoring as they were led by Khalif Battle who had 24 points. He was very aggressive and was able to get to the foul line. Tramon Mark hit a couple of big shots in the second half and I thought Devo Davis gave the team great energy and leadership off the bench. The Razorbacks needed to work on their press break, as they turned the ball over to let Vandy send it to overtime.

As a guard, the most important thing to do in the press is you have to meet the pass. I thought Arkansas was very sloppy and did not do the little things to help them with press. Meeting the ball as it is thrown to you, is a good start. This is a good start for the Razorbacks and am interested to see if they can make some noise this week.

Missouri caps off a winless conference season

The Missouri Tigers did what they have done all year and that is find ways to lose games. MIssouri had the game until they got sloppy with the ball and turned the ball over with the press. Like Arkansas, MIssouri did a poor job of getting the correct spacing in the press, as well as not meeting the basketball. Blue Cain was great for Georgia, as he hit a couple of big shots in the second half.

I thought Mike White did a great job of using Cain in a lot of screening actions. Blue Cain was used as a screener, as a shooter the more screens you set the more you will be open. They also used Cain in a lot of roll and replace actions. Georgia would empty out a side for a pick and roll, then run Blue Cain on the baseline for a corner three. This was really good stuff and great against a denying defense. 

Missouri just finds ways to lose games. They outplayed Georgia in the second half and should have won. Dennis Gates did a good job of switching defenses and using a lot of continuity ball screens on offense. This allows for great movement and getting cutters to the basket.

MIssouri just did not handle the press and panicked. Interested to see where Dennis Gates goes from here heading into next season. Georgia will need to play a lot better to win tomorrow.  

Preview of Today’s games

MIssissippi State-LSU

This is the noon game and the winner will play Tennessee on Friday. MIssissippi State comes in losing four in a row and really needs this win to feel good about getting a bid in the NCAA Tournament. Josh Hubbard has been on another level recently and the Bulldogs need balanced scoring. They need to establish Tolu Smith inside as they will have a big advantage with post play.

If Shakeel Moore can make some outside shots this will really take pressure off Hubbard and should open up one on one opportunities for Smith. LSU is looking to cap off an improved season. Jordan Wright has been the Tigers best player this year. The Bulldogs will put Cam Mathews or DJ Jeffries on him. Both of them are very long and athletic defenders. 

I think the Tigers need to establish Will Baker who can bring Tolu Smith to guard on the perimeter. Anytime you have a great post scorer, you need to make him guard and the best way is to guard on the perimeter. This will be a great game. 

Arkansas-South Carolina

The Gamecocks defeated the Razorbacks earlier in the year. Gamecocks have played a lot of close games and today should be the same. I look for the Gamecocks to establish Colin Murray-Boyles early in this game.

The big question is how will the Razorbacks handle the physical play of the Gamecocks. Meechie Johnson has played really well recently for South Carolina and needs to continue to hit perimeter shots.

For Arkansas, Khalif Battle needs to continue to play well and the Razorbacks have to find ways to get the pace of the game up. They need to get out in transition and that has not happened all year against the Gamecocks. Devo Davis is the key for Arkansas today.

Ole MIss/ Texas A&M

Texas A&M has to win this game in order to have any chance of making the Tournament. This is why A&M has Wade Taylor and Tyrese Radford and I look for them to be extremely aggressive.

Ole MIss has to at least take away one of these guys. If A&M can get help from other role players it will be huge for the Aggies. Ole MIss just got blown out by this same team on Saturday at home. The Rebels are playing for pride right now and I am interested to see where this team is mentally. 

Florida/Georgia

Florida is looking to bounce back after a bad loss to Vanderbilt. Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton should get a lot of opportunities in this game. If they can make plays in the paint, it should open a lot of things up for the Gators. Georgia has to find ways to rebound and not let the Gators get second chance points. If the Bulldogs can't guard the ball this will be a big problem for them.

Georgia needs very good games from Blue Cain and Justin Hill. I also think the Bulldogs have to get production from their bigs. I look for Florida to trap a lot of ball screens and make the Georgia bigs be decision makers in the paint.