We could see a multiple coaching changes in the SEC

There are multiple coaches that I believe are on the hot seat heading into the back half of SEC play.

The most obvious name is Jerry Stackhouse and what is very odd about this is that I believe he is a very good in-game and X’s and O’s coach. His problem is that he does not recruit at all. The performances put up in the past few games are quite embarrassing and I just do not see a way he will be brought back. I think he could be a very good NBA coach.

The next name is Dennis Gates. If you would have told me at the start of the year that Gates could be on the heat seat, I would have thought you were crazy. The fact is that Missouri has a very good chance of going winless in conference play and I am not sure how you can bring back a coach that does that. 

I do understand that Missouri has had some injuries and quite frankly have had a lot of close games, but to not win one game in conference play is very hard to do. This team just does not know how to win and some of that falls on coaching. One other interesting thing about this situation is that Missouri’s AD just left for Arizona and she hired Gates. It will be interesting to see what the new AD thinks about the state of Missouri basketball.

This next guy is someone that is not going to get fired, but questions need to be raised from the disappointment of this year. Buzz Williams is not going to get fired and has done a decent job at Texas A&M, but questions need to be raised of why has this team underperformed this year? This team has lost three in a row and with a road trip coming to Knoxville is looking at four in a row and playing itself out of the tournament. This team was preseason ranked in the top 15. If this team misses the NCAA tournament the heat will be turned up on Buzz next year.

Lastly, could there be a possibility that John Calipari and Kentucky go separate ways. It has just been very odd lately how Calipari has acted in the media. He is always feuding with them and it's just weird. Kentucky fans seemed to be very frustrated with the direction of the program. The recent NCAA tournament fails and having a very up and down year has got us to this point. I don’t think there's any way Calipari leaves, but if this team does not have some March success the jury could be out on Calipari.

Tide sneak by the Gators

This was a great game and a fun game to watch. Two very good offensive teams, which makes for an entertaining game. Florida really had this game and really wasted a golden opportunity to put itself into the conversation of winning the regular season.

I still think the Gators are the most dangerous team come March and not a lot of people are talking about them. Florida’s guard play is so good and you have to have good guard play to win in March. Walter Clayton had 27 points in the game, which is a very good game. The problem is that it took 24 shots to get that 27 points and thought some forced shots late in the game let the Tide back into the game.  

In close games, shot selection is so important and sometimes shots that you take early in the game are shots you can’t take late in the clutch. Alabama was led by Grant Nelson, which is a great sign for Nate Oats.

For them to win this game and Marc Sears not have his best is very impressive. Everyone will look at the points for Nelson, but his toughness and mindset has completely changed this team. He is being more physical and setting a tone for the Tide, especially on defense. He is also putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. I also like how well Alabama’s bench has been playing. 29 bench points will get it done against anyone. 

Madness in the Bayou

LSU does it again. I am not sure I have seen a team get down double digits and come back every time like this team does. They were down 16 to South Carolina and came back and now they were down 15 and came back and won again. LSU is playing themselves into the bubble conversation.

I do not think it will be enough, but if they win out and make some noise in the conference tournament, you never know. Tyrell Ward, who hit the game winner, was very good in this game. He had 17 points, but I thought his energy and effort changed the game. I thought he played solid defense and got multiple loose balls. Jalen Reed was also very good off the bench. For this Tigers team to win and not have great games from Jordan Wright or Will Baker is very impressive. 

For Kentucky, I thought this would be a very hard game for them as I mentioned in the preview for this game. They were coming off a very emotional win at Auburn and have Alabama coming to town on Saturday. Not to mention that LSU is riding high off a win at South Carolina. I thought Kentucky really missed Tre Mitchell in this game. Kentucky’s big men combined for two points in this game. LSU has Will Baker, who is a guy who can score on the block. Tre Mitchell is that guy for Kentucky. Not having a post presence puts a lot of pressure on the guards.

Antonio Reaves played really well and what can you say about Rob Dillingham. Dillingham almost won this game by himself. His shot making ability is top 5 NBA draft prospect worthy. The and one layup he made, might have been the best play I have seen all SEC season. One thing I do think is that he shot the go ahead bucket a little too early.

I would have liked for him to take the shot with around eight seconds or so. It just gave LSU too much time. The game winning shot was a very bad look for the young Wildcats. Just about every player was looking at the ball. You have to put a body on someone and move them. The officials are not going to call a foul. Like I said earlier, the LSU Tigers won the 50-50 balls and that's why they won the game. 

Best of the rest from the SEC

Texas A&M continues to struggle and is playing itself right out of the NCAA tournament. This game had so many fouls, that it was really hard to pay attention to anything else. Arkansas played better than it has in months and I thought showed a lot of toughness. A&M just does not play a style of basketball that is going to last over an entire season.

They can get hot for a stretch, but this style is not going to win consistently over an entire season. The Aggies shot 33% from the field. You are not going to win any game with that number, even if your defense is elite. Wade Taylor and Tyrese Radford both had cold shooting nights and the Aggies will not win if they both do that. 

I am so happy to see the Egg Bowl matter in college basketball. It truly is one of the best rivalries and for both teams to take basketball seriously is great for the league. Every win for both of these teams are huge as they are bubble teams. Mississippi State played through Tolu Smith and Ole MIss did not have an answer all night. Ole Miss just does not generate enough good scoring opportunities in the half court to win these types of games.

Tennessee escaped a near disaster on Tuesday night in Columbia. The Vols looked half asleep for about 30 minutes in this game, until Dalton Knecht showed up and scored 15 points in about a 8 minute span. He once again proved why he is the best player in the league. Eli Drinkwitz sure was not standing on business, as Zakai Zielger made him look like a fool. Not sure getting into a trash talking battle with Ziegler is the best idea. 

Any win on the road should be celebrated, but the play of Santiago Vescovi is hard to explain. The guy is a two-time first team All-SEC guy, who has hit over 300 threes and scored over 1500 points. Vescovi does not even look to shoot the ball, he is always passing up open shots and not aggressive at all. The strangest thing about it is that Vescovi plays so hard on defense.

For the Vols to get where they want to go Vescovi has to hit shots. Tennessee would have lost this game in the past, but since they have Dalton Knecht, they won. This is why this team has a chance in March. They have the best player on the floor. Georgia went into Nashville and defeated Vanderbilt, in what is likely the nail in the coffin for Jerry Stakehouse. 

Look ahead to the weekend

The game of the weekend is in Lexington as Alabama comes to town. This is a great opportunity for the Wildcats, as Rupp will be electric. Alabama has not been great on the road this season against better competition. This will be high scoring and a fun game to watch. I think rebounding will be huge in this game and Kentucky needs to get off to a good start. I do like this position for the Wildcats.

South Carolina looks to stop a two skid as they head to Ole Miss. Ole MIss has been very good at home and really needs this win. I do not like this matchup for the Gamecocks. The inside players for South Carolina need to play well against the length of Ole MIss. 

Texas A&M will be heading into Knoxville as the Food City Center will be checkered. Tennessee fans and players are ready for this game and the Aggies will be coming into a hostile environment. I would advise Buzz Willimas to stay in his coaching box for this one. If A&M hits shots early, like they did in College Station, this will give them a chance, but Tennessee will be ready for this one and this one could get ugly.

Auburn heads to Athens in what could be the upset of the weekend. Georgia, like LSU, is due to upset someone. They have played everyone close and Auburn is coming off their worst performance of the season. Auburn has also been pretty bad on the road. 

MIssissippi State travels to Baton Rouge to take on the red hot LSU Tigers. LSU with a win could play themselves into the tournament. The Bulldogs have not been great on the road and this could be a big win for them as well.

Florida hosts Vanderbilt in what has the making to be a beatdown. Arkansas looks to win two in a row, as they host the winless Missouri Tigers.