Around SEC Basketball: November 11-14

Written By Tucker Harlin

Credit: University of Alabama Athletics

By Tucker Harlin

The SEC basketball season has another slate of midweek action in the books. Nobody in the SEC lost from Monday to Wednesday, and a couple of those wins carry more significance than others.

Per usual, much of November consists of buy games, so I’m only touching on the ones that ended closer than expected. However, there were a couple of matchups between SEC and power five schools during the week.

MCNEESE 64 @ #2 ALABAMA 72

If you’re a hardcore SEC basketball fan, you’ll understand the significance of this game.

Former LSU head coach Will Wade, who found himself amid controversy involving a strong offer in 2019, played his first game against an SEC opponent in two years when McNeese visited Coleman Coliseum.

Wade and Nate Oats squared off in many hard fought battles between 2020-22, including the 2021 SEC title game in which Oats appeared to tell Wade to “GTFO.”

The Cowboys weren’t going to be an easy test for Alabama as they were one of the strongest mid-major programs in the country last season.

The Tide prevailed thanks to big nights from Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell, but Oats’ tone in his press conference suggested his team has a lot to improve on.

McNeese was an appetizer for a murderer’s row of non-conference games that features #13 Purdue, Illinois, #8 Houston, #24 Rutgers, #10 Alabama, and #14 Creighton.

EASTERN WASHINGTON 77 @ MISSOURI 84

Missouri’s second win of the 2024-25 season was more of a challenge than anticipated.

The Tigers led by 12 at half, but Eastern Washington’s offense kept it afloat all night. The starters weren’t productive for Mizzou, but graduate Caleb Grill scored 33 points off the bench, including an 8/10 night from distance

Missouri doesn’t play a power five team until Cal on December 3.

I wonder if Cuonzo Martin will be in Mizzou Arena.

SOUTH ALABAMA 54 @ #25 OLE MISS 64

For some reason, this game was played in the dilapidated Tad Smith Coliseum instead of The Pavilion. Ole Miss fans won’t want to venture to the Tad Pad anytime soon after this ugly result.

The Rebels led the Jaguars 55-52 at the four-minute timeout. A much needed run in the last few minutes is the reason Ole Miss was able to pull away.

The highlight of this game was the 27 points Virginia Tech transfer Sean Pedulla scored on a 7/16 night from distance.

With this win and the prior contest ending in a one-possession victory over Grambling, it’s hard to imagine Ole Miss staying ranked after this week.

#6 DUKE 72 vs #19 KENTUCKY 77

The second leg of the Champions Classic in Atlanta is the SEC game receiving the most attention this week.

Duke had an opportunity to slam the door on Kentucky in multiple instances on Tuesday but couldn’t. The infamous Spalding basketballs were in use, but Mark Pope’s squad had played with them all week to prepare.

This is evident in the disparity in the performances at the three-point line. The Wildcats shot at a 40% clip from deep while Duke shot just over 17%.

Future lottery pick (and 17-year old, if you didn’t know) Cooper Flagg played a terrific game for Duke, but two costly turnovers in the closing moments ultimately allowed for Kentucky to get by.

It was Kentucky’s first win over Duke in nearly a decade.

CAL 69 @ VANDERBILT 85

The Commodores are off to a 3-0 start in the young Mark Byington era, and Wednesday’s victory over Cal is the best so far for a team full of point guards.

The Golden Bears turned the ball over to Vandy 20 times in Memorial Gym, allowing the Commodores to score 50 points in the paint and 32 off turnovers.

Among the stars for Vandy were Boston College transfer Devin McGlockton with a 6/7 night inside the arc, North Texas transfer Jason Edwards with 18 points, and local freshman Tyler Tanner 14 bench points.

Vandy does play in the annual Charleston Classic this month. Miami, Oklahoma State, and Seton Hall are all programs of note in the tournament.

LSU 76 @ KANSAS STATE 65

The Bayou Bengals weren’t doomed in the Octagon of Doom Thursday.

Between the later stages of the first half and the end of the game, LSU only allowed Kansas State within 10 points once. Possibly the best aspect of this game for the Tigers was the play of Kansas State transfer Cam Carter, who scored 20 points and shot over 50% from the floor.

The Tigers were supplemented with two strong performances off the bench from SEC journeyman Daimion Collins and freshman Vyctorious Miller.

It’s a “prove it” season for Matt McMahon and LSU. The Tigers strung together a pair of victories over mid-majors, but this one has some important weight should they be in consideration for the NCAA tournament.

Tucker Harlin
Previous

Vols to Wear All White in Athens
Next

Questions Ahead of Week 12 of SEC Football