Roundball Roundup 02.18.10

LAST NIGHT

Tennessee trailed at the half but came back to beat Georgia 69-60. UGA's Trey Thompkins was his usual great self with 25 and 10, but no one else for the Bulldogs managed to get into double digits. Four Vols starters hit that mark though, led by Wayne Chism's 16 and 11. Tennessee had to work to find a successful lineup after a modified starting set failed to produce much. Georgia remained competitive in SEC East play, but the loss was another one the program has to grin and bear while Mark Fox rebuilds in Athens.

Sole SEC West leader Arkansas meanwhile had little problem in knocking off South Carolina to the tune of 92-79. It was an inspiring effort for the Razorbacks coming off a deflating loss to Alabama. A trio of Gamecocks went for 16 or more, led of course by Devan Downey with 28, but the entire rest of the team scored 12 points combined. Four guys went into double digits for the Hogs, with Marshawn Powell's season high 28 the top mark. One has to wonder where Arkansas would be if Courtney Fortson, who had 19 and 9 versus Carolina, had not missed a lot of time to suspension this season. This team certainly has played like a tournament squad since his return.

TUESDAY

SEC leader Kentucky needed overtime to take down Mississippi State, 81-75. It was a great effort by the Bulldogs considering leading scorer Ravern Johnson was suspended for the contest and Jarvis Varnado was on the bench in foul trouble for most of the night after halftime. Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins took advantage of Varnado's foul plagued game in registering a double-double each, and John Wall came two assists short of a triple-double.

It was not a stellar night for Mississippi State fans though, since after Cousins' phone number was abused by students throughout the week, fans threw water bottles at the refs after some borderline calls went UK's way. Every fan base goes through misbehavior like this unfortunately, but the school has already apologized and the athletics director is working on identifying those guilty of throwing the bottles.