Top Five SEC Basketball Matchups Before March Madness

WHEN: February 23 @ 4 p.m. ET

TV: SEC Network

WHERE: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, MS

Mississippi State and South Carolina could decide how many SEC teams get bids for the NCAA tournament. This game makes the list because both teams need conference wins as the end of the season approaches.

It also makes the list because South Carolina’s head coach Frank Martin is a defensive genius who finally has a team that can shoot the ball. If they’re working together like against Ole Miss and Georgia, this Carolina team can slip up and make the tournament.

However, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have an impressive out of conference record that could help get them in the tournament as well.

Mississippi State currently sits in sixth place in the SEC standings and have a 7-6 conference record. For them to get a bid the Bulldogs need this victory and to close out the season on a high note.

The Bulldogs squeaked by Georgia and now face a South Carolina team who seems to only get better as the season progresses.

South Carolina is also on the cusp of making it, but how Mississippi State’s out of conference record helps them, it hurts the Gamecocks. Martin’s team is brutal in SEC play with a 9-4 current record.

The Gamecocks have a lot of games left on the schedule that they cannot slip up on and if they do it is a done deal. In my opinion, this game could solidify a case for them for rankings in the SEC, NCAA or NIT tournament depending on which South Carolina gets invited to.

These two teams match up well and it is going to be a fun game to watch.

Prediction

South Carolina won the first game 87-82 in overtime, and with how much the Gamecocks improved since then, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a similar outcome.

However, Mississippi State is home and will have the advantage of the home crowd. For some reason, my gut says go with the Bulldogs. Mississippi State wins 78-70 and increases its winning streak to five.