SEC Notebook
by Ryan Glenn
Tournament Brackets Shaping Up
With one game left for each team in the regular season, the SEC Tournament field is all but set. The only seed that is up for grabs is the number one spot in the West. If Alabama wins this weekend, they will take number one. If Alabama loses and LSU Wins, the Tigers take it. If both teams lose, LSU will take the spot, due to their sweep over the #3 seed Mississippi State.
Here is the schedule for the first round of the SEC Tournament:
Game 1: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina – 1:00 ET
Game 2: Georgia vs. Mississippi State – 3:15 ET
Game 3: Tennessee vs. Arkansas – 7:30 ET
Game 4: Auburn vs. Vanderbilt – 9:45 ET
South Carolina win costly for the school
When South Carolina fans rushed the court after the huge win over Kentucky, they certainly weren’t thinking of any repercussions. The SEC was though. Last Friday, they announced that South Carolina would be fined $5,000 for a violation of the league’s access to competition area policy.
Hoopville’s SEC Rankings
1. Kentucky
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. LSU
5. Mississippi St.
6. Vanderbilt
7. South Carolina
8. Ole Miss
9. Arkansas
10. Tennessee
11. Georgia
12. Auburn
SEC Teams in the Polls
The SEC has two teams in the AP poll this week. Kentucky is 3rd in the AP and 3rd in the Coaches’ poll. Alabama is 16th in the AP and 14th in the Coaches’ poll.
SEC Player of the Week
Patrick Sparks of Kentucky was named SEC Player of the Week. Sparks scored a season-high 26 points, against Alabama, as the third-ranked Wildcats clinched their 43rd SEC title.
Kentucky (23-3, 14-1)
It looks like Kentucky might be able to get out of those 6 A.M. practices they started after their loss to South Carolina. Kentucky clinched the SEC regular season championship with their big win over Alabama. With the win, they also earned a first round bye in the SEC Tournament.
Florida (19-7, 11-4)
At halftime against South Carolina, many were starting to question the Gator’s entry into the tournament. The Gators came out and rallied for the win, after being down by as many as seventeen. With their win, Florida clinched the No. 2 East seed in the conference tournament, which gets them a first round bye.
Vanderbilt (18-11, 8-7)
Vanderbilt has been trying to hold on to the chance to get a tournament bid. With three wins in their last four games, they still have a shot. Vanderbilt has begun to get good play from more than one person each game. Against Georgia, the Commodores had three players in double digits. At home against South Carolina, they also had three players in double digits, including Mario Moore, who had 22. This weekend, Vanderbilt has their biggest game of the season. They head down to LSU, in what is most likely, a must win game.
South Carolina (14-12, 6-9)
After South Carolina, pulled the upset of Kentucky, things were looking like they might turn around. Well they did the opposite. The Gamecocks have lost four straight and have lost any chance of getting into the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina led against Vanderbilt at the half, but once again couldn’t get good play for a full forty minutes.
Tennessee (12-16, 5-10)
Just where exactly would Tennessee be without their star freshman, Chris Lofton? Lofton came out in the Volunteers’ loss to Arkansas, and sank a career-high 30 points. Lofton is one of only two players who has started every game. He is averaging 13.3 ppg and a team leading 14.4 ppg in conference play. Even with Lofton, Tennessee just can not seem to get a win in close games. In games decided by five points or less, the Volunteers’ are a grim 2-7. Against Kentucky, Lofton helped the Vols keep it close, with a game high nineteen points. However, Tennessee just couldn’t stop a late run by the Wildcats to close out the game.
Georgia (8-18, 2-13)
Georgia has hit many lows this season. Against Vanderbilt, on Saturday, they hit a new one. Georgia scored just 37 points in their loss to the Commodores. That is their lowest point total since 1982. The Bulldogs are looking to get their third conference win this weekend, as they head to Knoxville to play a quick shooting Tennessee team.
Alabama (22-6, 11-4)
Alabama came out showing why they are number one in the SEC West against Auburn. The Crimson Tide shot 54.4% from the field, as they put on one of their best shows of the season. With a win against Mississippi State this weekend, they can clinch the top spot in the division.
“I know it’s going to be a great challenge for us (playing Mississippi State). There is a lot riding on this game and I think they’ve played exceptional well these last few weeks. We know we have to play our very best to have a chance,” said Coach Mark Gottfried.
LSU (18-8, 11-4)
Brandon Bass has brought the Tigers straight back into tournament talk. LSU has won five straight games and is the hottest team in the conference. Even with a struggle in their last game against Ole Miss, the Tigers are still hoping to jump Alabama in the SEC West standings.
“We were fortunate to defend well against Ole Miss as they did a good job on us,” coach John Brady said on Thursday. “We found a way to win with Glen Davis and Brandon Bass having their poorest offensive performances. But you have to give Ole Miss credit for that. We have a chance to win the SEC Western Division on our home court this weekend. Depending on what happens in Starkville, we could still be the No. 1 seed. But regardless, we are playing for a championship this weekend if we win at home. We’ve come a long way since our November and December struggles. I’ve got to give my team a lot of credit for that.”
Mississippi State (21-8, 9-6)
Though Mississippi State has won their last three games, if you take a look at the last two, you will see there must be something wrong. In those two games, the Bulldogs won both those games by just two points. Something needs to change quickly, as Alabama comes to town on Saturday. Expect some great play from Winsome Frazier this weekend. Frazier, who missed eight games with an ankle injury, has slowly improved and seems to almost be back to his old self.
Arkansas (18-10, 6-9)
Coming off a two-point win against Tennessee, the Razorbacks had the chance to upset Mississippi State in a primetime game. Arkansas just couldn’t hit baskets when they needed to down the stretch. The Razorbacks shot a horrible 33.9 % from the field and only 26.3% from three point land. Their finally chance for a win comes on Saturday as they head to Auburn to play one of the worst teams in the league this year.
Ole Miss (13-15, 4-11)
The Rebels, trying to salvage anything out of this dismal season, came up just short against LSU. That “just short” phrase has been oh-so-common for Ole Miss this season. Ole Miss has now lost nine games this season, by ten points or less. Marvin Moore was the leader for the Rebels with fifteen points.
Auburn (12-16, 3-12)
Auburn’s young team is trying to end their regular season with some high notes. The bad news for them was, they had to head to Alabama. The Tigers were easily routed by the Crimson Tide. Auburn gave up as many points in the second half as they were able to score the entire game.
Game of the Week
Kentucky vs. Florida – Sunday @ 2:00 ET
The two top teams in the East, face off in what looks to be a great finish to the regular season. The key match up for this game looks to be Patrick Sparks against Anthony Roberson. Sparks, coming off a slump, has been on fire from behind the three point line. Roberson, as always, is the leader for the Gators and must be stopped for Kentucky to get the win. In the last meeting between the two teams, Kentucky edged out Florida by three at Rupp Arena.
