Four Teams Left Standing: SEC Tournament Semifinals Set After a Chaotic Quarterfinals Friday

The SEC Tournament quarterfinals delivered exactly what you’d expect—defensive slugfests, high-flying offensive showcases, and a couple of teams that should probably rethink their entire approach to basketball. When the dust settled, four teams remained: Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama.

For some teams, Friday was a statement. For others, it was a brutal reality check. And now, the focus shifts to the semifinals, where only two will survive.

Auburn 62, Ole Miss 57 – A Rock Fight Ends With Auburn on Top

If you like high-scoring, fast-paced basketball… this was not the game for you. Auburn and Ole Miss delivered a physical, defensive war, where every bucket felt like a miracle and every possession was a battle.

Johni Broome was once again the anchor for Auburn, putting up another double-double and setting the tone with his physicality. Ole Miss had its chances, keeping the game within striking distance late, but they just couldn’t find enough offense to pull off the upset.

After the game, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl summed it up in a way only he could, telling ESPN, “Our guards aren’t(yeah I'm not saying that).” That pretty much tells the story—Auburn didn’t back down, didn’t flinch, and muscled their way into the semifinals.

Tennessee 83, Texas 72 – Chaz Lanier Leads the Vols to the Semis, Texas Waits for Selection Sunday

Chaz Lanier put Tennessee on his back yesterday. Scoring 23 points to lead the Vols past Texas in a game that was far more competitive than the final score suggests. Texas played desperate, knowing this could be their last chance to prove they belong in the NCAA Tournament, but Tennessee was just better.

Now, the Longhorns wait. Their tournament fate hangs in the balance, and frankly, they should be in. The debate is between Texas and UNC for the final at-large bid, but it really shouldn’t be close. Texas finished the season and conference tournament with a 7-10 record against Quad 1 teams, while UNC? A pathetic 1-12 in Quad 1 matchups. If UNC gets in over Texas, the system is broken.

For Tennessee, the focus shifts to Auburn, where the Vols will need another big performance from Lanier if they want a shot at the SEC title.

Florida 95, Missouri 81 – The Gators Demolish Mizzou

Missouri deserves a ton of credit for how far they’ve come. Last season, they didn’t win a single SEC game. This year, they made it to the tournament semifinals and locked up a bid to the Big Dance. But on Friday? They were completely outclassed.

Florida dominated from start to finish, running Missouri off the court and never letting them breathe. Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard were in full control, and every time Mizzou tried to make a push, the Gators responded immediately.

The good news for Missouri is that their season isn’t over. They’ll be playing in the NCAA Tournament, and they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. But if Friday was any indication, Florida is rolling at the right time.

Alabama 99, Kentucky 70 – Crimson Tide Sends the Wildcats Back to Lexington in Shame

Dog walked. Steamrolled. Humiliated. Pick any word you want—Alabama embarrassed Kentucky from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Big Blue Nation might need a few days to recover from this one. Alabama did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, and Kentucky had zero answers. Mark Sears and Grant Nelson put on a show, Clifford Omoruyi dominated inside, and the Tide completely shattered any illusion that this might be a close game.

If you’re Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, you have to be wondering just how far off your team really is. Losing is one thing. Getting absolutely demolished in a quarterfinal game? That’s a whole nother conversation.

For Alabama, the win sets up a semifinal matchup with Florida, a team that’s just as capable of lighting up the scoreboard. If they play like they did Friday, they might hang 100 again.

Today’s Semifinals – Four Teams, Two Spots in the Championship

Auburn vs. Tennessee (12:00 PM ET)

It’s strength on strength for this one. Tennessee wants to grind this game into a half-court battle. They are going to want touse their physicality and defensive intensity to dictate the pace. Auburn, on the other hand, is going to push the tempo, fire up shots, and try to turn this into a track meet.

Chaz Lanier is the x-factor for Tennessee—if he gets hot, the Vols will be tough to beat. But Auburn’s depth and defensive toughness will test Tennessee in ways Texas couldn’t. Broome is a matchup nightmare, and if Auburn’s guards can hold their own, they’ve got a real shot to punch their ticket to the final.

Expect a war.

Final Score Prediction:

Auburn 76, Tennessee 68

The Tigers have too much firepower and too much depth. Tennessee will keep it close for a while, but Auburn's ability to push the pace and score in transition will be the difference. If Auburn shoots well from three, they could even cover the spread comfortably. Expect a competitive game, but in the end, Bruce Pearl’s squad should punch their ticket to the SEC Championship.

Alabama vs. Florida (2:30 PM ET – or later, depending on the refs)

This has all the makings of an offensive explosion. Alabama and Florida both want to play fast, both have elite guard play, and both are fully capable of shooting the lights out. The biggest question? Defense.

Alabama has the size advantage inside with Omoruyi and Nelson, but Florida’s backcourt duo of Clayton Jr. and Richard will test the Tide’s perimeter defense all game long. If Florida gets hot early, Alabama will have to respond with another high-powered scoring performance.

If you’re looking for a game that might hit 200 total points, this is it.

to foul trouble, they should have the firepower to pull away in the final minutes.

Final Score Prediction:

Alabama 94, Florida 89

This time, Alabama gets it done. Florida may have won the last meeting, but Alabama is playing its best basketball at the perfect time. The Tide’s offensive explosiveness and revenge factor will be enough to take them to the SEC Championship. If Mark Sears has a big game, Alabama not only wins, but covers the spread.

So there you have it... Two games, two tickets to the championship. The semifinals are set—now, it’s time to see who’s got what it takes.