College basketball is finally back.
Of course, so are my game-by-game predictions for the world of SEC basketball.
I started the picks (straight up, not against the spread) in the middle of last season and managed to finish with a respectable 84-43 record.
However, it was my memorable eight-game streak of incorrectly picking Vanderbilt games that most fans remember.
When I picked the Commodores to win, they lost. When I picked the Commodores to lose, they won. That created the social media phenomenon that saw Vandy fans practically begging me to always pick the loss.
Luckily, I managed to get back on track and find consistency with other teams.
So, perhaps your favorite team will be this year’s lucky winner when I pick against them.
The theme of last’s picks? Always expect the unexpected when it comes to SEC basketball.
This season, that’ll be no different. Nearly every team in the league has NCAA Tournament aspirations, and that’ll make for a lot of close games when conference play rolls around.
But for now, we start things off with a jam-packed opening night that features several intriguing matchups.
And as a reminder, my picks are not gambling advice and should you choose to use them that way, you may soon be living in a van down by the river.
Just ask Matt Foley.
Let’s get to the picks.
Season Prediction Record: 0-0 (still undefeated)
No. 25 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 West Virginia – 6 PM EST, ESPN (Game Preview)
The Aggies will be without Robert Williams and J.J. Caldwell in this one, which is less than ideal.
West Virginia is pretty good at forcing turnovers, so no Caldwell could be trouble for Billy Kennedy’s squad.
Prediction: West Virginia 72, Texas A&M 65
Alabama State at Mississippi State – 6:30 PM EST, SECN+
This is the year that Ben Howland and company break through, right?
Even if it is, we won’t be able to take a whole lot away from this game.
The Bulldogs take care of business.
Prediction: Mississippi State 84, Alabama State 58
Alabama vs. Memphis – 6:30 PM EST, CBS Sports Network (Game Preview)
Speaking of teams without impact players, the Tide will be missing Braxton Key, Riley Norris, and Collin Sexton (although he’s officially back on Tuesday).
However, the emergence of freshmen John Petty and Herb Jones gives Alabama enough depth to stay on track for now.
But this will be far from easy against Tubby Smith’s new-look Memphis squad.
Prediction: Alabama 67, Memphis 64
Presbyterian at Tennessee – 7 PM EST, SECN+
Dustin Kerns takes over a Presbyterian team that only won five games last season, with two of those coming against non-Division I competition.
That should bode well for the Vols, who might be the most underrated team in the SEC entering the regular season.
Prediction: Tennessee 81, Presbyterian 62
South Carolina at Wofford – 7 PM EST, ESPN3 (Game Preview)
Kudos to Frank Martin for opening the season on the road against a Southern Conference foe.
The atmosphere and Wofford’s ability to shoot the three (look out for Fletcher Magee) may keep this game close.
But the Gamecocks are the better team, even if there are some unknowns heading into the new season.
Prediction: South Carolina 69, Wofford 63
Utah Valley at No. 5 Kentucky – 7 PM EST, SEC Network
In case you hadn’t heard, this is John Calipari’s youngest team yet.
But here’s what I know: They’re extremely talented.
And I’ll take that young talent to beat the Wolverines.
Prediction: Kentucky 78, Utah Valley 60
Bryant at Georgia – 7 PM EST, SECN+
Although I ranked the Bulldogs at No. 11 in my SEC preseason power rankings, they’re growing on me.
I love what I’ve seen from Yante Maten (no surprise) and Rayshaun Hammonds thus far, so if Georgia can get consistent guard play, this team can win some games.
They’ll start off by winning this one.
Prediction: Georgia 90, Bryant 68
Louisiana at Ole Miss – 8 PM EST, SECN+
My level of excitement for the Ole Miss backcourt entering the season? I’d give it a Ric Flair out of 10.
Terence Davis is still one of the most underrated players in the nation, DeAndre Burnett can score with anyone, Breein Tyree is set for a breakout year, Markel Crawford can do it all, and Devontae Shuler is gonna have a great career with the Rebels.
However, this game may be closer than people think due to the Ragin’ Cajuns ability to score in bunches.
If you want high scoring, this is the game to watch.
Prediction: Ole Miss 95, Louisiana 87
Alcorn State at LSU – 8 PM EST, SECN+ (Game Preview)
Will Wade has LSU on the right track, and while it may take a year or two to get the Tigers in that upper echelon of the SEC, they’ll surprise some people this year.
Duop Reath has been a beast in exhibition games, and the emergence of Tremont Waters, Skylar Mays, and others is a positive sign going forward.
Prediction: LSU 76, Alcorn State 61
Samford at Arkansas – 8 PM EST, SECN+ (Game Preview)
Here’s the game to keep your eye on.
I wrote about it in the shiny preview above, but Samford has more than enough firepower to pull the upset here.
What Arkansas has that Samford doesn’t is Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford, and as long as the Hogs get some production in the frontcourt, they should have enough to win.
But this is my least confident pick of the group, and Scott Padgett’s team winning wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Prediction: Arkansas 73, Samford 71
Norfolk State at Auburn – 8 PM EST, SECN+ (Game Preview)
Things could be better for Auburn basketball right now.
First came the news that Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy would be sidelined indefinitely, then came the loss to Division II Barry University.
Perhaps the Tigers can enter the regular season with a clean slate, but the off-court distractions remain a problem.
Auburn should still have enough depth to start the season on a much-needed positive note.
Prediction: Auburn 86, Norfolk State 72
Iowa State at Missouri – 9 PM EST, SEC Network (Game Preview)
The Cyclones will likely take a step back after last year’s Big 12 tournament championship.
As for Missouri? Well, word on the street is that the Tigers are gonna be better than they were a year ago.
I’ve been talking all offseason long about Kassius Robertson’s potential impact on this team, and that might be the thing I’m most looking forward to watching.
Steve Prohm is an excellent coach, and he’ll have Iowa State ready to play.
But man will the atmosphere be incredible at Mizzou Arena, and that will fuel Michael Porter Jr. and company to a close victory.
Prediction: Missouri 76, Iowa State 71
Austin Peay at Vanderbilt – 9:30 PM, SECN+ (Game Preview)
Since I broke the streak of incorrectly picking Vanderbilt games, I can start fresh this season.
However, if the Commodores lose this game as huge favorites, it’ll prove that my prediction powers are real when it comes to Bryce Drew’s team.
I’m ready for the social media outrage.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 79, Austin Peay 56