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SEC Basketball Preview: Ranking every game for Saturday, March 8, men’s hoops slate
By Adam Spencer
Published:
SEC basketball regular-season action comes to an end on Saturday, March 8, with an exciting slate of 8 games. The final day of the regular season is absolutely stacked with great games, too.
Alabama and Auburn meet up in an epic rivalry clash. Several other of the SEC’s ranked teams face tough battles. Much is still to be decided with regards to SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament seeding.
Make sure you are in front of a TV (or 2 or 3) for Saturday’s exciting SEC hoops action.
Here’s a look at my 5-star rankings of each game on the slate in the SEC men’s hoops world this weekend:
5-Star Games
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No. 7 Alabama at No. 1 Auburn — 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Tigers won in Tuscaloosa a couple of weeks ago. You know Alabama would love to return the favor and spoil the fun for Auburn’s senior day. Auburn has plenty of seniors, so expect Bruce Pearl and company to come out fired up. This will be Johni Broome’s last game at Neville Arena, and he won’t want to lose to a heated rival. Broome is almost a lock to be the SEC Player of the Year. Can he lock down the National Player of the Year award on Saturday, too?
No. 19 Kentucky at No. 15 Mizzou — 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Both of these teams have been up and down lately, with Mizzou seriously faltering since knocking off a top-5 Alabama team. Can the Tigers right the ship at home? Or will Kentucky lock up a single-bye in the SEC Tournament with a strong road victory? There’s plenty to play for at Mizzou Arena in this game that tips off before noon local time.
Reminder: Missouri will legally launch online sports betting at some point in 2025. Missouri betting promo information will be coming soon. Stay tuned to Saturday Down South for all the latest, including what will be a great Underdog Sportsbook Missouri promo.
Oklahoma at Texas — 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network
An unranked matchup in the 5-star section? Am I losing my mind? No. Well, not for this reason anyway. Oklahoma and Texas are both right on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. The winner of this game will be feeling pretty good about its Selection Sunday hopes. The loser will head to Nashville next week needing to win at least 1 game (and possibly 2 games) to solidify its résumé.
4-Star Games
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vanderbilt at Georgia — 12 p.m. ET on ESPNU
This is another battle of teams that don’t want to lose to close out the regular season. Even with a loss, I still have Vanderbilt (and probably Georgia, too) safely in the NCAA Tournament field. But conference tournament week is where bid thieves loom large. Best to take care of business while you still have opportunities.
Ole Miss at No. 5 Florida — 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Ole Miss just shocked Tennessee on Wednesday. Florida, on the other hand, went into Tuscaloosa and took down a suddenly reeling Alabama squad. The Gators will all but lock up a 1-seed with a win against Chris Beard and company, but the Rebels have shown they can play anyone tough on any given night. A win over the top-5 Gators would likely boost Ole Miss a seed line or 2.
3-Star Games
⭐⭐⭐
No. 25 Mississippi State at Arkansas — 12 p.m. ET on SEC Network
This is a battle of 2 teams trending in opposite directions. Mississippi State has lost 3 of its last 4 games. Arkansas has won 3 of its last 4. The Bulldogs are in danger of losing their spot in the top 25. But a win over the surging Hogs would be just what the doctor ordered. We’ll see what happens with this early tipoff in Fayetteville.
2-Star Games
⭐⭐
No. 22 Texas A&M at LSU — 4 p.m. ET on SEC Network
The Aggies face a classic trap game on Saturday evening in Baton Rouge. Texas A&M just knocked off No. 1 Auburn. LSU shouldn’t be nearly as big of a challenge, but winning on the road isn’t easy in league play this year. Wade Taylor IV and his teammates will need to make sure they start strong in this one.
1-Star Games
⭐
South Carolina at No. 4 Tennessee — 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Tennessee still has a shot at a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina hasn’t won an SEC road game all year. Yes, the Gamecocks have been frisky at home, but this game isn’t in Columbia. Look for the Vols to absolutely dominate on Rocky Top.
Players to Watch
This week’s Players to Watch are:
Johni Broome, Auburn
It’s his last game at home. The likely SEC Player of the Year gets one more game at Neville Arena and it just so happens to be against rival Alabama. He had 19 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in the Tigers’ win in Tuscaloosa, and he can potentially lock down the National Player of the Year award with another big showing in this game against the Crimson Tide. I can’t wait to watch his final regular-season game at Auburn.
Alex Condon, Florida
The big man out of Australia was absolutely dominant against Alabama, scoring 27 points to go with 10 rebounds. He made an impact offensively, defensively, from short-range, from long-range, at the line — everywhere:
He appears to be fully healthy, which is huge for the Gators heading into the regular-season finale. He could be off to the NBA after this season, so fans will want to make sure they pay attention to what could be his final home game in a Florida uniform on Saturday.
Coach of the Week
Todd Golden, Florida
The Gators stayed alive in the race for a 1-seed in March Madness this past week with a dominant home win over Texas A&M and a road win at Alabama. Golden and his staff have deftly handled a couple of key injuries during the regular season, and they seem to be peaking at the right time. Don’t be surprised if this team is cutting down some nets this postseason.
Relevant Quote from “The Office”
“I wish there was a way to know you’re in ‘the good old days’ before you’ve actually left them.” — Andy Bernard
One last regular-season ride before we head to postseason play. Enjoy the games, y’all!
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
