As we get deeper into SEC play, games are getting harder to predict.
Will we see more surprises around the league on Wednesday?
Let’s dive into thoughts on both games.
Alabama (13-7, 6-2) at Arkansas (16-5, 5-3) – 7 PM ET, SEC Network
Here’s a monumental opportunity for Alabama to pick up an important win on the road. Although the Crimson Tide are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA tournament discussion, a road win against a Top 30 RPI team would be a huge step forward.
Of course, winning at Bud Walton Arena is easier said than done.
But let’s not overlook something: Arkansas hasn’t played its best basketball in recent weeks. Despite a four-game winning streak before the blowout loss at Oklahoma State last Saturday, the Razorbacks have had too many stretches where they just look awful.
Give Mike Anderson’s team credit for making plays down the stretch to win close games at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, but it still feels like something is missing with this team.
As for Alabama, last week’s victory at Georgia was a sign that Braxton Key and company aren’t going anywhere. The 6-2 record to start SEC play wasn’t a fluke, and even with a loss in Fayetteville, the Crimson Tide would be fine.
But again, if we’re talking NCAA tournament potential, this is a big game. Turnovers will likely decide the winner since both teams love to apply pressure and turn defense into offense.
My guess is that Anderson will have his team’s attention after that head-scratching loss in Stillwater, leaving Alabama to search elsewhere for another quality win.
Prediction: Arkansas 71, Alabama 64
No. 19 South Carolina (17-4, 7-1) at LSU (9-11, 1-7) – 9 PM ET, SEC Network
This game features the best defensive team in the league and the worst defensive team in the league.
In eight SEC games thus far, only once have the Gamecocks given up more than 70 points (85-69 loss at Kentucky). As for the Tigers? They’ve given up 92 points or more in five of eight.
Yes, things have been rocky for Johnny Jones and LSU. This team has lost 9 of its last 10 games, and there have been few signs of things getting any better. During that stretch, only two losses have been decided by less than 13 points (96-89 vs. Vanderbilt and 78-74 vs. Auburn).
I said all of that to say this: South Carolina is the obvious choice here.
Although I think this game may be closer than some expect it to be, Frank Martin’s squad is walking out with the victory.
Prediction: South Carolina 80, LSU 72
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Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.