By Chris Marler
Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M are all off during the midweek. However, there are still some really good games set before we head into the weekend, including two ranked match-ups and one that feels like a must win game for both sides in Oxford.
- Projections are through the roof, again
For the first time this year, and ever for that matter, the SEC is projected to have not only 13 teams make the NCAA tournament. The SEC is also projected to have three No. 1 seeds with Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn. That is unprecedented for this conference.
What’s even more impressive is that six of the 13 are projected as top 3 seeds. Nearly half of the SEC will be a top three seed. Currently, there are three teams projected to be on the outside looking in for the NCAA tournament. Those teams are LSU, South Carolina, and Arkansas. However, don’t sleep on the Hogs. After their win against Kentucky on Saturday, they are on the bubble for Lunardi’s projections in the next four out.
- Kentucky is in a vulnerable position
Kentucky is still projected as a No. 3 seed in the tournament and sits firmly in the top 15 of the rankings. However, that loss to Arkansas on Saturday in Rupp Arena had to shake the Cats’ confidence. It’s a perfect example of how difficult the season is in this league and the gauntlet that sits in front of every team.
The Cats will now travel to Oxford to take on an Ole Miss team who also feels desperate for a win. Ole Miss has lost four of their last five games, but are still ranked in the Top 25. That’s good news for Kentucky who is 6-1 against ranked teams this year.
- Can the Hogs finally get hot
Arkansas has only two conference wins this season. One was a come from behind win against Georgia a few weeks ago. The Hogs promptly followed that up with a home loss to lowly Oklahoma. The second win was last Saturday against Kentucky. So, the question will be asked once again – can this win serve as a catalyst to get the Hogs going.
It’s nothing new for John Calipari teams to start slow and begin peaking in February in time for March. Arkansas heads to Austin to take on Texas and needs this win badly. It’s the first of ten remaining SEC games on their regular season schedule and one of just five against an unranked team.
- Can Missouri stay hot?
The Tigers head to Knoxville at 17-4 and with a 1.5 game lead over the Vols in the SEC standings. It’s unfair to say that now is when we will find out if Missouri is for real or not. Afterall, they’ve already won road games at Florida and Mississippi State. The line for the game hasn’t been released yet, but Missouri will almost certainly be an underdog. Winning in Knoxville isn’t easy, as the the Vols are 56-5 at home in the last four seasons.
A win in Knoxville for Missouri would turn the talk about this team from Cinderella to contender.
- Who’s on upset alert
The question to ask every week in the SEC because as we’ve seen all year, someone will absolutely get got. This week’s midweek slate features six games including two ranked matchups. So, where is the upset coming from?
There are two clear cut choices, Kentucky over Ole Miss and Arkansas over Texas. Both teams would have to win on the road, which hasn’t been easy in the SEC this season. Home teams are 165-30 in the SEC this year. However, if there’s one team I like most to pull an upset this week, it’s Arkansas over Texas.
