Hoop Heaven arrives again...

    Remember last year when the Tide was getting ready to take the floor for their first game in the SEC Tournament?  A moment later, the SEC canceled it all.  And then the NCAA canceled the national tournament. For a hoops first basketball fan, it was a stunning blow.  Here we are a year later, and today the SEC Tournament has its first full day of games. Yesterday, Vanderbilt beat Texas A&M to advance to round two. Here are my picks for today.

   Game 1 - Mississippi State vs. Kentucky at 11 CST-  I'm taking Kentucky for two reasons. First, the officials will do everything they can to bump the Wildcats to the Alabama game. The second reason is that State seems to have cashed it in for the year. If the Bulldogs can pull themselves together and win a couple of games, they might get an NIT bid.  I have a good friend who told me that Kentucky is now better than Alabama and Arkansas. You have to love Kentucky fans, but that ain't happening.   

   Game 2 -  Vanderbilt vs. Florida - at 2:00 PM CST - Vandy got here by beating the SEC's worst team.  TAMU was so racked by COVID protocols they never got started this season. No-fault of the Aggies, but Vandy was too much for them. Florida ended up playing on day two by losing to Tennessee in the final game of the season.  Guess who the Gators will play after beating Vandy? Yep, it's Tennessee, and Tre Manne will be back. Vandy may have some slight advantage by playing the day before. Vandy is without Dylan Disu, the 6-9 power forward. The Commodores lose 15 ppg and almost 10 boards. It might be close for a half. 

I'll have more after the first two games. 

     Way to go, Mississippi State. Molinar won the game for Bulldogs, and we can put the Wildcats to rest...

    Game 3 - Missouri vs. Georgia - I'm picking Missouri to win this one. The Tiger's inside size and length may be too much for the Bulldogs. Wheeler is one heck of a player, but his supporting cast is hot and cold.  Tilman and Smith will control the boards. Smith and Pinson are good enough to offset Wheeler.  Missouri can win a better seed in the National Tournament by making it to the SEC's finals.  This one might be close for a half or so, but Coach Martin will have the answers down the stretch.

   Game 4 - Ole Miss vs.  South Carolina - The money guys like Ole Miss, and I think they are right. Ole Miss needs three wins in the SEC Tournament to have any chance to make it to the NCAA's. DeVontae Shuler is a great offensive and defensive threat. That being said, never underestimate Frank Martin.  I like Ole Miss.