SEC basketball schedule and standings heading into mid-week games

Auburn ascending to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 for the first time in program history is the big news in SEC basketball this week.

As for the mid-week schedule, Bruce Pearl’s Tigers shouldn’t have much trouble Tuesday night when they visit Missouri for an 8:30 p.m. game on the SEC Network. Auburn is 6-0 in league play and has won 15 straight games overall. Missouri is 2-4 after an 86-76 loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night.

There are two interesting mid-week matchups. Both are on Wednesday. Florida is at Tennessee at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. Texas A&M is at LSU at 9 p.m. on the SEC Network.

After an 0-3 league start, Florida had won three straight before Monday night’s 70-54 loss at Ole Miss. That game was a makeup from an earlier postponement because of COVID-19. Tennessee has won three of its last four, including a 64-50 victory over LSU on Saturday in Knoxville. That victory avenged a 79-67 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge on Jan. 8.

Meanwhile, LSU has lost three straight games. Will Wade’s Tigers lost 65-58 to Arkansas at home and 70-67 at Alabama on the road before losing to the Volunteers. Texas A&M has dropped two straight tough games — 64-58 to Kentucky last Wednesday and 76-73 in overtime at Arkansas on Saturday.

Arkansas will attempt to extend its win streak to five when the Razorbacks travel to Oxford on Wednesday. After an 0-3 conference start, Eric Musselman’s team is now 4-3 after its overtime win over Texas A&M on Saturday. Ole Miss improved to 2-5 in the league with its win over Florida.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari yells down court during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari yells down court during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.

Kentucky will try to bounce back from its 80-71 loss at Auburn on Saturday when the Wildcats play host to Mississippi State at 9 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN. MSU will be without starting power forward/center Tolu Smith, who injured his knee late in the Bulldogs’ 78-60 win over visiting Ole Miss.

South Carolina snapped its three-game losing streak with an 83-66 win over visiting Georgia on Saturday. Now the Gamecocks play host to Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Wednesday at ESPNU. Vandy has lost four of its last five.

Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs are still looking for their first SEC win. They play host to Alabama on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network. The Tide has back-to-back home wins over LSU and Missouri.

The SEC/Big 12 Challenge games take place on Saturday.

SEC basketball schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 25

  • 6:30 p.m. - Alabama at Georgia (SEC)

  • 8:30 p.m. - Auburn at Missouri (SEC)

  • 9 p.m. - Mississippi State at Kentucky (ESPN)

Wednesday, Jan. 26

  • 6 p.m. - Florida at Tennessee (ESPN2)

  • 7 p.m. - Vanderbilt at South Carolina (ESPNU)

  • 7 p.m. - Arkansas at Ole Miss (SEC)

  • 9 p.m. - Texas A&M at LSU (SEC)

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