It’s another important week of action in the SEC, with many teams having an opportunity to add to their NCAA Tournament resumes.
There are four interesting matchups on Tuesday’s schedule, which features a top 25 showdown in Lexington.
Let’s get to the picks.
Season Predictions Record (straight up): 151-45
No. 16 Auburn at South Carolina – 6:30 p.m. EST, SEC Network
How the Gamecocks respond to their blowout loss at LSU will tell us a lot about their ability to stay near the top in the SEC standings.
I worry a little about a letdown performance from Auburn here after the close defeat to Kentucky, but the Tigers should be able to find enough offense to earn the win.
Prediction: Auburn 80, South Carolina 71
No. 22 Mississippi State at No. 8 Kentucky – 7 p.m. EST, ESPN
This is Mississippi State’s chance to prove that it belongs in the SEC title discussion, and Ben Howland’s group certainly has the size to battle Kentucky on the glass.
But the Wildcats are playing their best basketball of the season right now, and that makes them the better pick in this spot.
Prediction: Kentucky 72, Mississippi State 65
Texas A&M at Florida – 8:30 p.m. EST, SEC Network
Texas A&M has one of the toughest upcoming schedules of anyone in the conference, and that’s not ideal when you’ve lost four of your first five league games.
The Gators still aren’t easy to trust, but they should take care of business here.
Prediction: Florida 70, Texas A&M 55
No. 20 Ole Miss at Alabama – 9 p.m. EST, ESPNU
This could be the most entertaining game of the evening, and Alabama showed against Tennessee that it can compete with anyone when the consistency is there.
Ole Miss is legit, but the Crimson Tide should be able to use the confidence from the game against the Vols to pick up a much-needed quality victory.
Prediction: Alabama 75, Ole Miss 72
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.