SEC Tournament Recaps and Round 2 Previews

Arkansas Survives South Carolina’s Furious Comeback

For a while, it looked like Arkansas was going to cruise into the second round of the SEC Tournament without much drama. The Razorbacks dominated South Carolina for most of the game, building a 19-point lead with just over 15 minutes to play. But then, like someone flipped a switch, Arkansas turned off. The Razorbacks endured an agonizing 7-minute scoring drought, during which South Carolina hung 22 unanswered on them, turning what looked like a blowout into a fight for survival. Arkansas finally broke free with D.J. Wagner’s three-pointer at the 2:37 mark, just in time to prevent a total collapse.

Even with Wagner’s clutch shot, the Gamecocks refused to go away, cutting the deficit to 64-62 with under two minutes left. Arkansas had to execute under pressure, and Johnell Davis sealed the win with two free throws in the closing seconds. Trevon Brazile led the Razorbacks with 16 points, while Wagner and Davis chipped in 15 and 14, respectively. South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles did everything he could to pull off the upset, leading all scorers with 21 points and 8 rebounds.

What’s Next? SEC Tournament Second Round vs Ole Miss

Arkansas heads into this matchup riding a three-game winning streak, but their inconsistency remains a glaring issue. Against South Carolina, they showed flashes of dominance before enduring long stretches of offensive futility—something they simply can’t afford against a more talented Ole Miss squad. Johnell Davis will need to carry the scoring load, but the Razorbacks must find a way to sustain offensive rhythm, especially against a Rebels team that forces turnovers and thrives on disrupting flow. If Arkansas starts cold, they could be chasing the game early.

Ole Miss, meanwhile, is in a free fall. Three losses in their last four games—including an absolute meltdown against Florida—raise questions about their defensive intensity and ability to handle adversity. Still, this is a team with weapons, and if they get out in transition and force Arkansas into bad shots, they’ll have the upper hand. This game could go either way, but Arkansas’ recent form gives them an edge in what should be a tight battle.

Prediction: Arkansas 74, Ole Miss 70.

Texas Stays Alive, Holds Off Vanderbilt 79-72

Texas entered the SEC Tournament knowing a loss would likely mean the end of its NCAA Tournament hopes. The Longhorns played with that desperation, controlling the game from the jump and never trailing after the opening minutes. A dominant first half set the tone, as Texas built a 15-point halftime lead (41-26) behind efficient offense and strong perimeter defense. Tre Johnson and Tramon Mark led the way, combining for 36 points, while Texas won the rebounding battle and limited second-chance opportunities for Vanderbilt.

The Commodores fought back, cutting the deficit to single digits late, but Texas never let them get closer than seven. Every time Vanderbilt made a run, Texas responded—whether it was key buckets from Johnson or clutch free throws from Jordan Pope and Mark, the Longhorns made the plays they needed to keep control down the stretch. While it wasn’t always pretty, Texas did what it had to do—survive and advance.

What’s Next? SEC Tournament Second Round vs Texas A&M

Texas kept its postseason hopes alive with a gritty win over Vanderbilt, but now faces a much tougher test against Texas A&M. The Longhorns have relied heavily on Tre Johnson, who continues to put up elite scoring numbers, but theirdefensive lapses have made every game a battle. A&M will challenge them physically on the glass, where the Aggies hold a clear advantage. If Texas can push the pace and get hot from deep, they have a shot, but they’ll need to be nearly flawless to overcome A&M’s defensive intensity.

The Aggies, meanwhile, are starting to regain their form at the right time. Their last two wins have come in convincing fashion, and Wade Taylor IV remains the engine that makes this team go. They’ve struggled at times to find consistent secondary scoring, but their rebounding dominance and ability to force turnovers should give them an edge against Texas’ sometimes sloppy ball-handling. Expect this to be a hard-fought game, but A&M’s depth and defense should wear Texas down late.

Prediction: Texas A&M 77, Texas 68.

Mississippi State Makes a Statement, Blasts LSU 91-62

Can we say Boat Race!?!? Mississippi State dominated LSU early and built a commanding 20 point lead going into halftime. The Bulldogs wanted to send a message, consider it received. Josh Hubbard was electric, lighting up LSU’s defense with his shooting, while Mississippi State’s defensive intensity forced turnover after turnover, leading to easy buckets. By the end of the first half, Mississippi State had already dropped 44 points and held LSU to just 24—a gap that only widened in the second half.

LSU showed a brief sign of life after the break, stringing together some quick points, but it didn’t last. The Bulldogs regrouped and absolutely buried them the rest of the way, stretching the lead past 30 and completely demoralizing the Tigers. It was never close again. Mississippi State shot lights out from deep, controlled the glass, and never let LSU find any rhythm offensively. The Bulldogs dominated in every phase of the game, showing exactly why they’re a dangerous team in this tournament. If they keep playing like this, nobody is going to want to see them next.

What’s Next? SEC Tournament Second Round vs Mizzou

Mississippi State made a State-ment against LSU in the opening round. Josh Hubbard continues to be the driving force for Mississippi State, and if he catches fire again, the Bulldogs could be a serious problem. Missouri, on the other hand, limps into this matchup after dropping three straight, including a tough overtime loss to Vanderbilt. The Tigers can put up points, but their defensive inconsistencies have been exposed lately, which is not a great sign against a red-hot Mississippi State squad.

Missouri took the first meeting between these teams back in February, hammering the Bulldogs 88-61. But that game feels like a distant memory with the way Mississippi State has been playing lately. Missouri’s offense, led by Mookie Mitchell, has been explosive, but they have also struggled to close out games and get stops when needed. Meanwhile, Mississippi State is peaking at the right time. They the physicality to disrupt Missouri’s rhythm. If the Bulldogs set the tone early and keep Hubbard rolling, they should punch their ticket to the next round.

Prediction: Mississippi State 84, Missouri 77.

Oklahoma Holds Off Georgia, Advances in SEC Tournament

Oklahoma earned a hard-fought 81-75 win over Georgia, overcoming a second-half surge from the Bulldogs to move on in the SEC Tournament. The Sooners controlled much of the first half, with Jeremiah Fears leading the charge. He scored 16 of his 23 points before the break, helping Oklahoma build an early cushion. Jalon Moore added 18 points and seven rebounds, giving the Sooners a steady presence inside. But Georgia wouldn't go away quietly. The Bulldogs chipped away at the deficit, getting big shots from Asa Newell and Silas Demary Jr. to make it a one-possession game in the closing minutes.

Georgia had chances late, but Oklahoma’s defense stepped up. The Sooners forced a pair of key turnovers and knocked down clutch free throws to hold off the comeback attempt. Their ability to limit Georgia’s outside shooting and force tough shots in the final minutes proved to be the difference. It wasn’t always pretty—Oklahoma struggled with turnovers in the second half—but when the pressure mounted, they made the plays needed to survive and advance.

What’s Next? SEC Tournament Second Round vs Kentucky

The road doesn’t get any easier for Oklahoma, as they now face Kentucky in the next round. The Wildcats are coming off a dominant stretch, winning three of their last four, including a convincing 91-83 victory over Missouri. Otega Oweh leads the team with 16.2 points per game, while Aaron Williams controls the glass, averaging nearly nine rebounds per contest. Kentucky is an efficient team that moves the ball well and shoots at a high percentage, making them a difficult matchup for a Sooners defense that has struggled with consistency.

For Oklahoma to have a chance, they need to clean up their ball security and get contributions beyond Fears and Moore. If Kobe Elvis and Duke Miles can step up as secondary scorers, the Sooners will have a shot at keeping pace. On defense, they must find a way to slow down Kentucky’s transition game and limit second-chance opportunities. If they can do that and keep the game close late, an upset isn’t out of the question. But if the Wildcats dominate the boards and control the tempo, Oklahoma could be in for a long night.

Prediction: Kentucky 85, Oklahoma 76.