Around the SEC: Men's basketball weekly recap

Week of Feb. 5-11

Texas A&M almost upsets top-25 Florida after back-to-back wins

The Aggies (13-11, 5-7 SEC) took a 71-62 loss to the No. 17 Gators (20-5, 10-2 SEC) to close out a mostly-successful week. Texas A&M was hoping to tamper with Florida’s spot in the SEC standings, but after a close game, the Aggies were unable to knock the Gators from their No. 1 spot.

Although Texas A&M kept with Florida’s pace throughout most of the game, turnovers and fouls made the difference in a close game. The Aggies committed 20 turnovers to the Gators’ 14, and recorded 21 fouls to the Gators’ 12. Forward Robert Williams, led Texas A&M with 18 points, while Florida forward Justin Leon also scored 18 to lead the Gators.

Despite the loss, the Aggies beat Missouri at home, 76-73, on Wednesday earlier in the week. The Aggies sit at No. 10 in the SEC as the conference tournament approaches.

Tennessee splits two games, muddies NCAA Tournament chances

Tennessee (14-11, 6-6 SEC) took a very close loss to Georgia (14-11, 5-7 SEC) at home this past Saturday, 76-75. The Vols were hoping to improve their NCAA Tournament hopes and move past Arkansas to take the No. 5 spot in the SEC, but the one-point loss nullified any of that.

In a close, back-and-forth affair, Georgia got just enough separation to clinch a win in Knoxville. Freshman forward Grant Williams led the Vols with an astounding 30 points, but guard J.J. Frazier stole the show with 29 clutch points to lead the Bulldogs.

Earlier in the week, Tennessee beat Ole Miss at home, 75-66. The team has only won back-to-back conference games once this season, a three-game winning streak. The Vols sit at the No. 7 spot in the SEC and travel to Kentucky to take on the No. 15 Wildcats on Tuesday.

Kentucky rebounds from Florida drubbing with two wins, remains second in SEC standings

Two weeks ago, No. 24 Kentucky was having a hard time dominating opponents. This week was a different story. Saturday, the Wildcats went to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama, 67-58, to win both games this week after the beatdown at the hands of No. 17 Florida.

Alabama (14-10, 7-5 SEC) was a tough opponent for the Wildcats, but Kentucky rode Malik Monk’s 17 points to a nice road win. The Wildcats dominated the entirety of the game, taking the lead at 9-7 and never relinquishing it. Isaiah Briscoe also chipped in with seven rebounds with 7 and four assits. Crimson Tide forward Braxton Key lead Alabama with 21 points, Bola Olaniyan lead the team with 10 rebounds and Dazon Ingram lead the team with 3 assists.

Earlier in the week, Kentucky also beat LSU, 92-85. Despite the back-to-back wins, Kentucky remains second in the SEC, but is tied with Florida and South Carolina in overall record and conference record.

Alabama Crimson Tide – W 90-86 @ South Carolina, L 67-58 vs Kentucky

Arkansas Razorbacks – L 72-59 vs Vanderbilt, W 78-70 @ LSU

Auburn Tigers – W 98-92 vs Mississippi State, L 90-84 @ Ole Miss

Florida Gators – W 72-60 @ Georgia, W 71-62 vs Texas A&M

Georgia Bulldogs – L 72-60 vs Florida, W 76-75 @ Tennessee

Kentucky Wildcats – W 92-85 vs LSU, W 67-58 @ Alabama

LSU Tigers – L 92-85 @ Kentucky, L 78-70 vs Arkansas

Mississippi State Bulldogs – L 98-92 @ Auburn, L 77-73 vs South Carolina

Missouri Tigers – L 76-73 @ Texas A&M, W 72-52 vs Vanderbilt

Ole Miss Rebels – L 75-66 @ Tennessee, W 90-84 vs Auburn

South Carolina Gamecocks – L 90-86 vs Alabama, W 77-73 @ Mississippi State

Tennessee Volunteers – W 75-66 vs Ole Miss, L 76-75 vs Georgia