:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53304723/usa_today_9878208.0.jpg)
Today’s Schedule
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri at Tennessee | 1:00 PM | SEC Network/WatchESPN |
| Florida at Mississippi State | 2:00 PM | ESPN/WatchESPN |
| LSU at Alabama | 3:30 PM | SEC Network/WatchESPN |
| Auburn at Texas A&M | 4:00 PM | ESPNU/WatchESPN |
| Ole Miss at Arkansas | 6:00 PM | SEC Network/WatchESPN |
| Kentucky at Georgia | 6:00 PM | ESPN/WatchESPN |
| South Carolina at Vanderbilt | 8:30 PM | SEC Network/WatchESPN |
All right. So, the first highlight of today is that all of the league’s top three teams — Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina -- go on the road, and while all three are favored, you can never take anything for granted in SEC play. Of the three home teams, Georgia probably has the most at stake: the Bulldogs are on the fringes of the bubble conversation, but a win over Kentucky would go a long way toward a bid. Vanderbilt is likely playing for an NIT bid at this point — yeah, the Commodores could go on a run and hope their strength of schedule numbers work to their advantage, but the loss to Missouri last Saturday probably killed any real hope of making a play to get into the bubble picture. Mississippi State’s bad RPI numbers will prevent them from getting any postseason consideration and a win over Florida would serve little more than to drop the Gators a seed line or two.
The other early games are only of mild interest. I shouldn’t have to tell you that if Tennessee and Alabama want to keep their tournament hopes alive, taking care of Missouri and LSU at home (respectively) is a must. Making the NIT would actually be a pretty big deal for Auburn -- the Tigers haven’t played in any postseason tournament since 2009 — and a win at sliding Texas A&M would help. And Arkansas got a big road win at South Carolina on Wednesday night; now the Razorbacks need to keep the momentum up by handling Ole Miss at home.
Odds and Picks
Season to Date: 94-117-1 ATS
- Missouri (+12.5) at Tennessee: Missouri’s been playing better of late, and the Tigers have covered in four in a row. Tennessee has lost three of four and while the Vols will probably win at home to get back on track, I don’t like them covering 12.5.
- Florida (-10.5) at Mississippi State: The Gators are rolling; they’ve won seven straight and covered in six of those. Mississippi State is improving and this could be a trap game, but I think the Gators will win by double digits here.
- LSU at Alabama (-12.5): LSU, on the other hand, appears to have quit on the season.
- Auburn (+5.5) at Texas A&M: Texas A&M’s lack of depth is starting to catch up to them. Auburn hasn’t been playing that well of late but I like them to win outright here.
- Ole Miss (+5.5) at Arkansas: The Rebels have covered in five of their last six (and won four of five) and this seems like it could be a prime spot for a letdown by Arkansas. I think Arkansas will win but not cover.
- Kentucky at Georgia (+7.5): Yeah, this is pretty much Georgia’s season. I think Kentucky will win but the Bulldogs aren’t going to go quietly.
- South Carolina (-2) at Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt is screwed if the threes aren’t falling and South Carolina is as good as anyone at making that not happen. Of course weird stuff happens at Memorial Gym.