SEC announces 3 high-profile games on opening weekend of men’s basketball schedule
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
It’s never too early to look ahead to SEC men’s basketball season. ESPN recently revealed an exciting slate for the opening weekend of conference play on January 3.
Kentucky will travel to take on Alabama, while Arkansas will host Tennessee, and defending national champion Florida will head to Missouri. The remainder of the schedule will drop later on Wednesday.
The SEC set an NCAA record last season with 14 teams in the NCAA Tournament: Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Missouri, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Texas.
The Gators defeated Norfolk State, UConn, Maryland, Texas Tech, Auburn, and Houston in the NCAA Tournament to capture the program’s first national title since 2007. Missouri bowed out in the first round vs. Drake.
After beating Troy and Illinois, Kentucky made it to the Sweet 16 but lost to Tennessee. The Crimson Tide fell in the Elite 8 to Duke after beating Robert Morris, Saint Mary’s and BYU.
Arkansas advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins vs. Kansas and St. John’s before losing to Texas Tech in overtime. Tennessee defeated Wofford, UCLA, and Kentucky then lost to Houston in the Elite 8.
It should be another fun season of men’s hoops in the SEC and the beginning of conference play can’t get here soon enough.
