South Bound & Down
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2016 SEC Men’s Tournament Round 3 Preview

By Ben Richardson

Mar 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) during the second half of the second game of the SEC tournament against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) during the second half of the second game of the SEC tournament against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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We did not do well in predicting what would happen in the first full day of the 2016 SEC Men’s Tournament play, but we will try this again.  Don’t get us wrong though, we love a day full of surprises.  It’s what makes March Madness….Madness.  We’ve got some great match ups coming up in the 3rd round.

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No. 8 Florida vs. No 1. Texas A&M 

Both Florida and Texas A&M experienced much more success in the first two-thirds of the season and ended looking a little suspect.  Florida is still playing for a tournament birth and are probably on the outside looking in as we speak.  Texas A&M was once nationally ranked in the top-10 for quite a while, but has struggled down the stretch.  Head coach Billy Kennedy will have Texas A&M ready to play, and I believe the lack of shot making will doom the Gators.  Texas A&M wins 67-61.

No. 12 Tennessee vs. No 4. LSU

Kevin Punter’s injury has been discussed amongst everyone paying attention to this tournament, but Tennessee doesn’t seem to care.  It has been a group effort, and their hustle has been unmatched to this point in the tournament.  With Ben Simmons seemingly playing alone out there sometimes, Tennessee’s hustle could be the reason for an upset.  Parallels are being drawn between this Tennessee team and last year’s Auburn team.  Another thing they have in common?  Each will have faced the LSU Tigers in round 3.  Auburn won.  Tennessee will not as Ben Simmons leads the Tigers to an 83-61 victory.

No. 10 Alabama vs No. 2 Kentucky

Can Alabama make enough shots to keep pace with Kentucky?  It seems like a silly question, but we know Alabama will play good defense.  We know Alabama will attack the boards.  We have no idea if Alabama will be able to knock down their open shots.  Kentucky will be coming in without the pressure of a perfect season on the line.  Without such high expectations, will Kentucky find the motivation to handle this Alabama team.  I think SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Ulis will lead the way in a 78-63 Kentucky victory.

No. 6 Georgia vs No. 3 South Carolina

This has been the year to signify a turn around for South Carolina head coach Frank Martin.  Due to their lack of a strong schedule, we are all quite hesitant to buy-in to South Carolina despite their 24-7 record.  South Carolina beat Texas A&M earlier in the year and then lost to Missouri 2 games later.  Georgia beat South Carolina earlier in the year 74-72, and I think they perform similarly behind a big game from Yante Maten.  Give me the Georgia Bulldogs to win 63-59 and South Carolina ends up as a 1-seed in the NIT.

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