As the SEC Tournament begins its third day of action, let’s make a few predictions for Friday’s matchups, which see each of the conference’s top four seeds play in Nashville for the first time.
No. 1 Tennessee (24-7, 14-4) vs. No. 9 Mississippi State (20-12, 8-10)
Mississippi State likely secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament with a 70-60 victory over LSU on Thursday, but if there is still any potential doubt as to if they’ll go dancing, then they can completely erase that Friday with a win over No. 1 seed Tennessee. The pick however goes to the Volunteers to get the win, even despite Mississippi State having defeated the SEC regular season champions earlier this season at home, 77-72.
Prediction: Tennessee 77, Mississippi State 68
No. 4 Auburn (24-7, 13-5) vs. No. 5 South Carolina (26-6, 13-5)
Likely the headline matchup Friday comes via the No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed showdown between Auburn and South Carolina, who defeated Arkansas on Thursday by a final score of 80-66. With the winner advancing to play the victor of the above matchup, the pick goes to Auburn, who dropped a road contest to the Tigers a few weeks ago, 101-61.
Prediction: Auburn 80, South Carolina 68
No. 2 Kentucky (23-8, 13-5) vs. No. 7 Texas A&M (19-13, 9-9)
Texas A&M, who sits on the NCAA Tournament bubble, kept their March Madness hopes alive Thursday night with an 80-71 victory over Ole Miss, and will likely clinch a spot in the Big Dance with a win over Kentucky on Friday. However, the pick goes to Kentucky to get the victory, but don’t be surprised if this is a very close game until late in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Kentucky 76, Texas A&M 70
No. 3 Alabama (21-10, 13-5) vs. No. 6 Florida (22-10, 11-7)
No. 6 seed Florida picked up an 85-80 victory over Georgia on Thursday night to set up a highly-anticipated third showdown this season with No. 3 seeded Alabama. The two teams have split the prior two meetings, with the home team winning each, but the pick to win the third matchup goes to Alabama in a close, high-scoring contest.
Prediction: Alabama 84, Florida 79