The Saturday slate didn’t disappoint, as six of the eight games were decided by four or less points. Here’s a recap of the SEC basketball Saturday.
Florida stays hot
Florida struggled in their non-conference slate to start the year. Granted, most of their early season losses were two possession games and by five points or less. They were also all to really good teams. This weekend they faced off against another 3-1 team in conference play on the road at Vanderbilt and came away with a win.
It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t conventional, but the Gators got out alive with a 98-94 win. For Vanderbilt, it was their second consecutive loss after an undefeated 16-0 start to the season. The conventional part of that cannot be stressed enough as Florida’s basketball managers forgot three jerseys at home and had to use alternate numbers for several key players.
UPDATE: Florida left multiple jerseys “at home,” per Vanderbilt Commodores on SI’s Joey Dwyer. As a result, Boogie Fland will wear No. 33, Xaivian Lee will wear No. 99. Micah Handlogten will wear No. 34, Dwyer reported. pic.twitter.com/fSAi38GbiZ
— Gators Network (@GatorsNetwork) January 17, 2026
Kentucky turning a corner
It was a wild finish in Knoxville between Kentucky and Tennessee. The final score was 80-78, but there was only one lead change the entire game. Unfortunately for Tennessee, that came with :34 seconds left. Tennessee led by as many as 17 points in the first half but saw their lead dwindle throughout the game.
Afterwards the longtime rivals had a heated exchange as the clock hit zero. Kentucky got off to a horrible start to conference play losing their first two games against Alabama and Missouri. They have since bounced back, and their last second win against LSU seems to have sparked this team and got them going in the right direction. It’s also the second consecutive game where they have come from behind to win after being down 17 or more points.
The benches had to be separated after Kentucky came back from 17 points down to defeat No. 24 Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/i5YQnDvWWt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 17, 2026
Bucky Ball is for real
The Bucky McMillan experiment is going swimmingly in College Station. The constant movement on offense and in your face defense has translated into a 14-4 start and 4-1 record in conference play. The latest example coming in a 74-70 win against arch rival Texas. They are now tied atop the SEC standings at 4-1 with Florida, and their next two games are against Mississippi State and South Carolina at home. Texas A&M losing Buzz Williams seemed like a big setback, but so far they haven’t missed a beat.
Insane how a team who was put together in two weeks with a brand new coach broke a 24 year old record of not winning a game in Austin. Bucky Ball cures all!
— Spaniard Sniper (@cryingaggie25) January 18, 2026
Player of the Day
A Serbian named Jovic being good at basketball? Who would’ve thought? Auburn forward Filip Jovic was fantastic against South Carolina off the bench. The forward contributed 30 minutes on the floor and racked up 23 points and seven rebounds.
Breakout performance for Auburn’s freshman Filip Jovic today vs SC
Jovic had:
23 Points
7 rebounds
3 stocks
9-12 FG
30 minutesThe 6-8 225 Serbian forward was a force around the rim, so far converting 19-23 in SEC play. Athletic movements that allows him to be a very capable… pic.twitter.com/G7KK117oUR
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) January 18, 2026
Best Bets revisited
Time to gloat. We are now 2-0 on the season in our best bets pick of the week as Kentucky +6.5 was a winner outright.
