SEC Basketball: 2022 SEC Tournament preview, predictions, what to watch for

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Alabama Crimson Tide hoist the SEC Championship trophy after the championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats LSU 80-79. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 14: Alabama Crimson Tide hoist the SEC Championship trophy after the championship game against the LSU Tigers in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama defeats LSU 80-79. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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2022 SEC Tournament
Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

2022 SEC Tournament First Round Predictions

No. 12 Missouri vs No. 13 Ole Miss

Arguably the more-intriguing matchup of the two games on Wednesday, Missouri and Ole Miss face-off for the third time this season, with both previous meetings won by the Tigers. The Rebels will likely need a big game offensively from guard Jarkel Joiner to win this contest, and while it is certainly possible, it’s hard to bet against Missouri based on the success they had against Ole Miss this season. Prediction: Missouri

No. 11 Vanderbilt vs No. 14 Georgia

Similar to Missouri/Ole Miss previously, Vanderbilt and Georgia have both played twice so far this season, with both games won by the Commodores. Georgia will need to come to play defensively facing-off against the SEC’s leading scorer in Pippen with strong games needed from names such as Oquendo, Cook, and Etter, but it’s hard to pick against the Commodores and Pippen facing a Georgia team that struggled mightily in conference play. Prediction: Vanderbilt