by Max
This week we jump into the SEC Conference for a match-up of two teams with overall records hovering around the .500 mark. The SEC is having a down year and, as it stands, only three teams are a lock to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Florida has a good chance to join Kentucky, Mississippi State and Alabama, but needs a healthy Matt Walsh in order to solidify their bid. After these four teams, there is a huge drop-off and it appears that few teams are even on the bubble. The NIT should be full of SEC teams that beat up on lightweights during the non-conference portion of the season. The only other team that I could see sneaking into the tournament is the Arkansas Razorbacks. This team has some winnable games coming up and a good showing will increase their RPI rating up from 56. The following will preview the upcoming match-up this Saturday when Tennessee travels to Auburn.
Tennessee is coming off of two of their most disappointing performances of the season. They were blown out in back-to-back games against the State of Kentucky. The last one came at home against the Wildcats, who embarrassed them, 84-62. This team has too much talent to be losing at home by that big of a margin.
The Volunteers return all five starters from last season's NIT squad and on paper appear to have NCAA Tournament talent. But, as we all know, games are not played on paper and this team was tested right out of the gate with three games in Maui against teams from powerhouse conferences. Tennessee came out of Maui with a 1-2 record, and then feasted on lightweights until conference play opened.
Scooter McFadgon leads this team. McFadgon has great size for a guard and is averaging more than 15 points per game. He nicely compliments C.J. Watson to give the Vols one of the best backcourts in the SEC. This team has trouble rebounding and that has cost them in a couple of games.
Auburn has undergone a coaching change this season with Jeff Lebo taking over for the fired Cliff Ellis. Lebo takes over for a team comprised mainly of seniors and freshman. This is an unusual mix and this team has yet to find its identity.
The Tigers are still winless in the conference but there is value when playing this team ATS. They have played well at home this season, losing by five points to Alabama, seven to Mississippi, and six to Florida in overtime. Freshman Tony Douglas had played outstanding this season and will certainly be on All-Freshman Team. He is averaging more than 18 points per game and is a compliment to PG Ian Young. With Douglas only a freshman, there is hope for the future at Auburn.
This game will come down to the Volunteers ability to play well on the road. This is the more talented team, but Auburn has played well against better teams then Tennessee at Beard-Evans Memorial Coliseum. If Auburn can keep the game close early, I would favor them since Tennessee goes into stretches where it forces shots from long distance. Vol Coach Buzz Peterson has yet to establish himself at the university and time is running out with the administration. He needs to turn the corner quickly.
Be sure to check back on Saturday for the winner of this SEC match-up. Doc's has done very well with SEC Conference betting in the past and this Saturday will be no different. Doc's is hitting two-thirds of our games involving our weekend preview write-up and after Saturday that percentage will increase.
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