 John Wall will lead the Kentucky Wildcats in a key rematch against Vanderbilt that could decide the SEC title. (AP Photo) With just a few weeks left in conference play, every game grows in importance and this weekend's matchups will go a long way toward deciding who wins the SEC in 2010 and who makes the NCAA Tournament.
First and foremost among the matchups this week, No. 2 Kentucky (25-1, 10-1) will take on No. 19 Vanderbilt (20-5, 9-2) in Nashville for the overall SEC lead.
Kentucky won the first matchup of the season 85-72, and with a win the Wildcats would give themselves a two-game lead in the overall SEC race, likely sealing the title.
However, a Vanderbilt win would throw things into a two-loss tie up at the top between the Commodores and the Wildcats.
It would also open the door a bit for three four-loss teams (Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee).
Needless to say, Saturday's 6 p.m. EST matchup between the two SEC East powers on ESPN will be the biggest game to date in SEC play.
In another game of huge importance, Florida (18-8, 7-4) will travel to Ole Miss (17-8, 5-6) with both teams' NCAA Tournament hopes on the line.
Florida is in slightly better shape on the bubble than Ole Miss, but they likely need to finish conference play with a 3-2 record to feel confident in receiving a bid.
Ole Miss, on the other hand, desperately needs some big wins and their bubble could burst unless they pull out a win against the Gators on Saturday.
The Arkansas Razorbacks (14-12, 7-4) will look to hold onto the SEC West lead with a game at Auburn (12-14, 3-8), while the Mississippi State Bulldogs (18-8, 6-5) will look to keep pace in the West and keep their tournament hopes alive with a road game at LSU (9-16, 0-11).
Here is the complete SEC weekend slate:
| SEC Basketball Weekend Schedule - Feb. 19, 2010 |
| Date |
Home |
Away |
Time EST |
TV |
| Feb. 20 |
Ole Miss (17-8, 5-6 SEC) |
Florida (18-8, 7-4 SEC) |
12:00 |
CBS |
| Feb. 20 |
South Carolina (14-11, 5-6 SEC) |
18 Tennessee (19-6, 7-4 SEC) |
1:30 |
ESPN 360 |
| Feb. 20 |
Georgia (11-13, 3-8 SEC) |
Alabama (14-11, 4-7 SEC) |
4:00 |
ESPN 360 |
| Feb. 20 |
LSU (9-16, 0-11 SEC) |
Mississippi State (18-8, 6-5 SEC) |
4:00 |
ESPN 360 |
| Feb. 20 |
19 Vanderbilt (20-5, 9-2 SEC) |
2 Kentucky (25-1, 10-1 SEC) |
6:00 |
ESPN |
| Feb. 20 |
Auburn (12-14, 3-8 SEC) |
Arkansas (14-12, 7-4 SEC) |
7:00 |
ESPN 360 |
|