There are three games on Wednesday’s SEC slate, with the Top 25 showdown in Columbia being the most important.
Let’s jump right into previews and picks for tonight’s SEC action.
No. 19 Florida (14-3, 5-0) at No. 24 South Carolina (14-3, 4-0) – 6:30 PM ET, SEC Network
It’s rare these days to have a Top 25 battle between SEC teams, but here we are.
Florida and South Carolina have firmly cemented themselves as the second and third best teams in the league, and it’s hard to see another team jumping in to disrupt that.
Despite not playing their best basketball all the time, the Gators have made the plays they’ve need in clutch moments of games to stay unbeaten in the SEC. There were games last season where Florida did what it takes to lose games down the stretch, but this time around, it’s doing what it takes to win games.
As for the Gamecocks, they’re using their incredible defense to make life rough for opposing teams. Opponents are turning it over 17 times per game, which is something that Florida simply can’t do if it wants to steal a win in Columbia.
This is the biggest week of the entire season for Frank Martin and his team. Florida is sitting at No. 5 in the RPI and Kentucky is No. 8. Getting two Top 10 RPI wins in a week would be a game-changer.
Of course, the Gamecocks have to win this one first. And I think they will.
South Carolina’s defense will turn the Gators over and wreak havoc on their ability to find open shots, and that’ll lead to a close win for the home team.
Prediction: South Carolina 71, Florida 67
Missouri (5-11, 0-4) at Alabama (10-6, 3-1) – 7 PM ET, ESPNU
This game features the bottom two scoring offenses in the SEC, so it might not be pretty at times.
One of Alabama’s biggest issues this season has been finding multiple go-to-guys in key stretches of the game.
But like most teams, Alabama found its rhythm against LSU, scoring 53 second half points to run away with the 15-point win.
Corban Collins and Riley Norris were huge down the stretch in adding that extra scoring element that the Crimson Tide desperately need going forward.
Braxton Key has been the most consistent source of scoring for Avery Johnson’s team, but if players like Collins, Norris, and Dazon Ingram can add that double-digit scoring threat night in and night out, the Crimson Tide will continue to move up the SEC ladder.
As for this game? Alabama puts on another strong performance to move to 4-1 in the conference.
Prediction: Alabama 68, Missouri 54
LSU (9-7, 1-4) at Auburn (11-6, 1-4) – 8:30 PM ET, SEC Network
If there’s anything we’ve learned from watching the young teams in this league, it’s that inconsistency is a major part of the picture.
The Tigers’ youth has been on display a lot in SEC play thus far. Auburn could have a few more wins on its résumé, but miscues at key points during the Georgia and Ole Miss games led to unfortunate losses.
And then there’s LSU.
Johnny Jones’ squad has given up 90.4 points per game in its five conference games, which is never ideal when three of those contests were at home.
Having already played Missouri, wins look scarce for this LSU team going forward. The two remaining games against Auburn (with the other coming February 21 in Baton Rouge) seem like the best opportunities to find victories.
But there’s no way I can pick the visiting Tigers in this game. Bruce Pearl is still without Danjel Purifoy on the court, but Auburn played decent basketball in a 20-point loss at Kentucky.
Mustapha Heron and company get it done at home and score a ton of points in the process.
Prediction: Auburn 89, LSU 79
Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.