Weekend Games (1/19)

Most of these guys are gone,
but what about their winning streak over UK?

A fairly entertaining weekend of conference basketball this weekend as two sets of bitter rivals – MSU@Bama and UK@UF – take to the hardwood tomorrow. The ESPN Gameday crew will even be town for the UK/UF tilt. Here’s what else you can expect to see…

LSU @ Vanderbilt
After a perfect non-conference slate, the wheels have officially come off for Vandy. They fell behind Tennessee early and never really threatened in the 2nd half. They made a few runs, but nothing sustained. As for LSU, they haven’t wheels since their epic collapse against Villanova. Vandy should get back on the winning track in a big way in this one.

Mississippi State @ Alabama
Two schools and coaches that are not very fond of each other play what should be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend. While Varnado has been blocking shots at an inhuman rate, it will be interesting to see how he handles Alabama’s man-child Richard Hendrix. Hendrix will get the benefit of the majority of calls as he’s a senior and playing at home. The Tide are entering desperation mode and will pull the minor upset here.

Ole Miss @ Auburn
In the other game that has a MS school headed to an AL school, the Rebels will be looking to not play a close game for the first time in 4 conference games. Auburn may be close in the first half, but they don’t have the horses to run 40 minutes with an Ole Miss team that pushes every possession and plays 10-11 guys every game. The Rebels pick up their first conference road win of the season.

Arkansas @ Georgia
Coming off a bad loss to South Carolina at home, the Hogs must have this game. They have to get through a depleted UGA squad that just beat an Alabama team that took Arkansas to OT last weekend. Razorback SG Patrick Beverley has had more time to rest and heal his jaw, so he should play better in this game than Wednesday night. Arkansas knocks down some 3s, controls the paint, and picks up its 2nd conference road win.

Kentucky @ Florida
While this is not the same Gator team that has a 6-game winning streak against Kentucky, it isn’t the same UK team either. This UK team seems lackadaisical at times, lost at others. Many upperclassmen have not jelled with new HC Billy Gillespie. The Gators though are polar opposites. Even with all their youth and inexperience, they pushed a more talented Ole Miss team to the brink Wednesday night in Oxford and will be hitting on all cylinders from the opening tip Saturday. Patrick Patterson should have his way inside against UF, but the Gator guards will carry UF to a 7th straight victory over UK.