Today in SEC Basketball: February 2

We’ve got some rivalry action going on this Saturday.

SOUTH CAROLINA vs. GEORGIA

Time: 1 p.m. ET // TV: SEC Network // Watch Online: WatchESPN

A border showdown is going on in Athens, as the Georgia Bulldogs host the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks were 5-1 before Tennessee knocked them off earlier this week. Now, South Carolina will look to go above .500 against the lowly Dawgs. Georgia is 1-6 in SEC play this season and have lost five consecutive games against conference foes. Their last win came against Vanderbilt back on January 9. If they are to win, Nicolas Claxton will have to be the benefactor. Look for Chris Silva on SC to try and show out to lift them to a win.

MISSISSIPPI STATE vs. OLE MISS

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET // TV: SEC Network // Watch Online: WatchESPN

Rivals collide in Oxford, as the Mississippi State Bulldogs will tackle the Ole Miss Rebels. These two teams last met on January 12, when Ole Miss defeated the Bulldogs in Starkville. Now, Quinndary Weatherspoon and State will be aiming to return the favor at The Pavilion, where Terence Davis and Breein Tyree await. Ole Miss has lost their last three and four of their last five, with a lonely victory against Arkansas being the only time they’ve gotten into the win column. Davis has certainly been playing well lately, with 52 points in his last three games, including 26 in his last outing against Florida. Naturally, State will be hoping for great output out of their lead man in Quinndary, who’s scored 68 points in his last three games, including two separate 27-point outbursts.

KENTUCKY vs. FLORIDA

Time: 4 p.m. ET // TV: ESPN // Watch Online: WatchESPN

A typically top-flight SEC matchup will be going down at the O-Dome. The Florida Gators will host the Kentucky Wildcats, who’re rounding into form before our eyes. The Wildcats come into this one having won their last seven games, and have posted a 10-1 record in their last 11 dating back to December 15. PJ Washington has been a man on a mission lately, as he’s posted 46 points and 25 rebounds in the last two games against the Kansas Jayhawks and Vandy. UF does have an elite defense, but they will certainly have their hands full if Washington continues to play at this high level. Kentucky will have to keep their eyes on Noah Locke and KeVaughn Allen, who’ve carried this Gator team lately. The Cats’ weak point is their 3-point defense, where Allen and Locke especially have thrived.

ARKANSAS vs. LSU

Time: 6 p.m. ET // TV: SEC Network // Watch Online: WatchESPN

If you aren’t paying attention to the LSU Tigers, now might be the time to do so. The Tigers will host the Arkansas Razorbacks at the PMAC on Saturday night, and LSU is absolutely white-hot right now as they come into this one. The Tigers haven’t lost since December 12 and are 12-1 in their last 13 dating all the way back to December 1. They’re tied with Tennessee for the top spot in the SEC standings and they’re no fluke either. They’ve yet to lose at home this season and have an average MOV of nearly 16 points. Stopping the great Tremont Waters will have to be priority #1 for Arkansas, but Naz Reid is lurking in the weeds, too.

ALABAMA vs. AUBURN

Time: 8 p.m. ET // TV: ESPN2 // Watch Online: WatchESPN

It might not be as contentious as it is on the football field, but the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers will still be rumbling against one another on Saturday night. Auburn Arena will play host to this matchup, as the two sides have yet to meet this season. The next time they will is March 5, so this will merely whet the appetite. Auburn finally got back to their winning ways on Wednesday night, blowing out Mizzou at Auburn Arena. Integral in that win was Chuma Okeke, who put up 14 & 12 and at times looked just straight up dominant. Jared Harper chucked up 16 & 5, so these two might be poised for big games. For ‘Bama, it’s all about getting Donta Hall more burn. Hall had 19 and seven rebounds against Mississippi State earlier this week and hasn’t hit single digits since January 8.

TENNESSEE vs. TEXAS A&M

Time: 8 p.m. ET // TV: ESPN // Watch Online: WatchESPN

The top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers will look to maintain their status as the top team in the land on Saturday night. The Vols will hit the road to face the Texas A&M Aggies. It frankly hasn’t mattered whether it’s at home in Knoxville or on the road for Tennessee this season. In true road games, the Vols have an average MOV of just over 14 points. With Texas A&M being one of the worst teams in the SEC this season, a similar fate may await Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield and the Vols if they play their cards right.

VANDERBILT vs. MIZZOU

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET // TV: SEC Network // Watch Online: WatchESPN

The Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores are looking to scratch and claw their way out of the cellar of the SEC. Interestingly enough, they’ll be playing one another on Saturday evening in CoMO. These teams rank 10th and 14th in the conference based on AdjEM on KenPom, so we won’t be seeing two of the conference’s best here, but with Vandy seeking their first win, while Mizzou looks to avoid going to 1-7, there is a sense of desperation here. That, in itself, could make it intriguing enough to watch.