SEC notebook: LSU-Oklahoma showdown, the Commodores’ rise, things we learned in SEC Week 4

Saturday marks the first day of February. With that, there are still many questions remaining regarding the SEC’s second and third best teams. Is LSU, Texas or Kentucky the runner-up to the Gamecocks? How far can the Vanderbilt rise among the other teams with three SEC losses —  Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma —  as the second chapter of league play kicks off?

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LSU-Oklahoma: A top 15 showdown in Baton Rouge

It didn’t take long for LSU to re-establish and execute its formula for success after losing to South Carolina (66-56), a game that had been postponed to Friday afte record-high accumulation of snow and ice in Baton Rouge.

In LSU’s win (64-51) on Sunday against Texas A&M — the program’s second game in a 48 hour span — the Tigers fought through fatigue as well as foul trouble to bounce back with a victory. LSU put up a massive rebounding performance (52-33) that included finishing +15 (30-15) in offensive rebounds against the Aggies. Like its performance against Texas A&M, LSU had also out-rebounded South Carolina. But the difference between their loss to the Gamecocks and their victory against the Aggies was the Tigers’ defense and scoring late in the game; mainly, the play of Flau’jae Johnson. 

Currently, LSU (21-1) sits in a three-way tie for second place in the SEC, despite not shooting the ball well and having minimal bench production in their last two games. This put most of the offensive duties in the hands of Johnson (19.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Mikaylah Williams (15.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and the nation’s leader in double-doubles Aneesah Morrow (18.5 ppg, 14.0 rpg). However, Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey didn’t appear to be very worried about LSU’s offensive struggles beyond the Tigers’ Big Three, even cracking a subtle joke about the number of McDonald’s All-Americans South Carolina currently has in its program under head coach Dawn Staley.

“[South Carolina] got 10 All-Americans,” Mulkey said in her post-game news conference after the loss to the Gamecocks. “I don’t have that. … You’d like to have more [than the Big Three]. I do think we have more depth on the perimeter but our bench was not very productive and it has been good all year. Call Dawn and tell her to send me some of those she doesn’t play. I don’t think she’ll do it, though.”

While Mulkey kept things light about her team’s lack of bench production, LSU could use solid performances beyond its main rotation when they enter Thursday’s top-15 showdown against Oklahoma (16-4), a team that sits fifth in the nation in bench points (32.6 ppg) and points in the paint (41.8) as well as sixth in points per game (86.6). The Sooners also rank third nationally in rebounds per game (48.2), second in defensive rebounds (33.4), 24th in offensive rebounds (14.8) and in the top 10 in second chance points per contest. LSU sits second in the country in offensive rebounds per game (18.4).

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Raegan Beers (16.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.2 blocks), Payton Verhulst (14.5 ppg, 3.8 apg), Sahara Williams (9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Skylar Vann (9.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg) continue to anchor OU this season. The Sooners are coming off a dominant win against Georgia (86-55) on Sunday, a strong response to their disappointing loss to South Carolina (101-60) on Jan. 19.

“I’m really proud of the way we’ve responded and looked in the mirror and said ‘OK we got to face greatness’ and what an elite program [South Carolina] looks and feels like and we fell short,” said Oklahoma head coach Jennie Baranczyk after the Sooners’ victory on Sunday. “… I’m really proud that instead of blaming everybody or not responding, we looked at it [the loss] and owned it.”

A couple things to watch for on Oklahoma’s behalf: does Baranczyk elect to give guard Reyna Scott her second start of the season, or go back to Nevaeh Tot, a player who saw her 103-game starting streak snapped in the Sooners’ game against the Bulldogs? Baranczyk’s decision to start Scott over Tot was not because the Columbus, Ohio, native “played bad.” It was more because of the personal growth and maturity of Scott.

“Reyna has elevated her game,” Baranczyk said. “She’s worked her way on the defensive end. … She’s got in shape. She speaks up more from a leadership standpoint.”

As the Sooners look to continue reducing turnovers and costly fouls, they will also seek to better their post defense, something forward Kiersten Johnson should help with during Thursday’s game. Johnson did not play against UGA because she was sick, according to Baranczyk. 

Meanwhile, LSU will look to pick up its third win against a ranked opponent this season. The Tigers have not lost at home this season and are 5-1 in games decided by 10 points or less. After South Carolina dispatched the Sooners, Baranczyk noted the loss would prepare her players for what they will see on Thursday night when they step on the floor to compete inside the Pete Maravich Center.

“The SEC is different,” Baranczyk said. “… You’re playing on a professional stage [ the SEC] because you’re playing against future pros. What we got to see is playing the elite [in South Carolina]. … It was an incredible environment [inside Colonial Life Arena]. Life doesn’t always give you a one week notice that you are going to relive the same thing.”

“… We’re going to go to LSU and relive the same thing,” she continued. “Now, we know what we have to get ready for. … We got to fall in love with the process of how we get to be great in the best league.”

An OU win against LSU would give the Sooners their fourth ranked win of the season, the program’s first top-10 win this season and, for the second time in January, consecutive SEC wins. The last time the two teams played in 2019, OU defeated LSU 90-68.

• Games this week for LSU: vs. Oklahoma (Jan. 30), vs. Mississippi State (Feb. 2)
• Games this week for Oklahoma: at LSU (Jan. 30), vs. Kentucky (Feb. 2)

Alabama-Kentucky: Will the Wildcats remain one of the SEC’s top four teams?

Kentucky entered the fourth week of conference play riding a nine-game winning streak, securing victories in 15 of its 16 games by an average of 10 points. That included five SEC wins by 14 or more points, a first in Wildcats history. But against Texas A&M — the Wildcats’ fourth road test out of five in the month of January — Kentucky ran into trouble, losing to the Aggies (61-55) while shooting an uncharacteristic 1-of-18 from beyond the arc and 20-of-64 from the field. 

The Wildcats, a team that held 13 of their 17 opponents to less than 39% shooting from the floor, allowed the Aggies to finish the game at 42.9% from the floor. Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks attributed the loss to his players failing to do some of the “little things to overcome bad shooting” as well as issuing a reminder of how tough the league is on any given night. 

“We were step slow, you know, pretty much the whole night in every category,” Brooks said in his post-game news conference following the Wildcats’ loss. “We really hung our heads when we didn’t make those shots. Some of them were in and out and they were demoralizing. … This league is just very good, and you’re going to have challenges every night, and they’re presented to you in different ways.”

On Sunday, Kentucky bounced back with a dominating win against Arkansas (89-69), a game that registered a typical Wildcats basketball game with all five starters registering double figures. However, with four of UK’s five starters playing 30 or minutes each game and limited bench production — without key transfers like Jordan Obi and Dominika Paurova who suffered lower-leg injuries back in October — will the Wildcats current method of success propel them deep into the post-season? Here’s a hint: if you’re familiar with Brooks-led basketball programs over the years, this method to success does not come as a surprise.

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Kentucky opens its toughest stretch of the season facing three ranked opponents in its next four games — with two of the games coming on the road and all four teams currently sitting in the top 20 in NET rankings — on Thursday against Alabama. The Wildcats haven’t lost at home this season. However, Alabama enters the contest coming off a stunning 66-64 loss on Sunday to Vanderbilt, spoiling the return of Sarah Ashlee Barker and her stellar performance (36 pts, nine rebounds, three assists and four steals).

Barker had not played in a game since Jan. 2 when she suffered a lower leg injury, and Alabama won three of its five games during Barker’s absence. Although the Crimson Tide were without one of their top scorers in that span, it gave opportunities for players like Diana Collins, Eris Lester and JeAnna Cunningham the opportunity to gain valuable playing time in addition to the production of Alabama’s starters — Zaay Green, Aaliyah Nye, Essence Cody and Karly Weathers.

“That’s one of the biggest adjustments I have to make is going to our bench early and often, and resting our starters,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “I don’t think I did a very good job with that against Vanderbilt. … Not many teams are going seven or eight deep but I’d like to get to that eight or ninth player.”

Facing a balanced Kentucky team, Curry also emphasized the importance of solid team defense and playing together to potentially earn their second ranked win of the season and first victory against a ranked foe in conference play.

“One way to win on the road in this league is with toughness and grit,” Curry said. “You have to flat out understand the importance of the controllables and that is to defend and rebound, to give them one shot opportunities. They are so well balanced scoring and have one of the best point guards in the country.”

Although Kentucky leads Alabama in the all-time series (36-15), Alabama won the most recent match-up between the two teams last season, defeating the Wildcats 91-74.

• Games this week for Alabama: at Kentucky (Jan. 30), vs. Georgia (Feb. 2)
• Games this week for Kentucky: vs. Alabama (Jan. 30), at Oklahoma (Feb. 2)

Vanderbilt

With an impressive win against a ranked Alabama squad last week, the Commodores entered the AP top 25 this week for the first time since 2014 at No. 23. The last time the Commodores were ranked, Vandy freshman star Mikayla Blakes (21.0 ppg) and sophomore sensation Khamil Pierre (21.7 ppg) were little kids. But the once little kids are now both in top 15 scorers in the country and are continuing to elevate Vanderbilt basketball. Vanderbilt (17-4) has two ranked SEC victories so far and currently sits at No. 18 in the latest NET rankings. With Blakes and Pierre leading the way, along with the team’s supporting cast, the Commodores can continue to bolster their NCAA tournament stock with wins this week against the Gators and Rebels.

• Games this week: at Florida (Jan. 30), vs. Mississippi (Feb. 2)

South Carolina

If there was ever a question if the Gamecocks would remain elite in the absence of Ashlyn Watkins and if they would continue to be the best team in women’s college basketball — despite UCLA holding the top spot — South Carolina (20-1) has stepped up to answer. Their win on Monday against Tennessee finished a stretch of five consecutive games against ranked SEC foes, and the Gamecocks were victorious in all of them. South Carolina finished with five players in double figures in its win against Tennessee, marking the eighth game this season for that to happen.

Joyce Edwards (12.4 ppg) has 15 games with double figures on the season. Sania Feagin is making her mark in the post. Chloe Kitts continues to be a force on the glass. Overall, the Gamecocks’ depth is the biggest reason for their success. When the program retires the jersey of former Gamecocks star and two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson during Sunday’s game against Auburn, Colonial Life Arena will be rocking.

• Games this week: vs. Auburn (Feb. 2)

Texas

Similar to South Carolina, the Longhorns have been in a gauntlet of their own, playing four of their last six games on the road, including recent wins against Tennessee (80-76) and Mississippi (61-58) on Sunday. Or, what head coach Vic Schaefer would describe as “murderers’ row” after the team erased an eight-point deficit to defeat Mississippi. Texas (20-2) has captured five wins against ranked opponents and currently sits in a three-way tie with LSU and Kentucky for second place in the conference.

Against the Vols, it was Madison Booker (finished with 26 pts) who led the team to a victory. In a tightly contested battle against the Rebels, it was Taylor Jones (24 pts in Mississippi win, shooting 65.2% from the field this season), an elbow jumper and a key defensive stop by Booker that lifted the Longhorns to a win. Texas has secured its best start since the 2015-16 campaign, sitting in the top 10 nationally in several scoring, rebounding and turnover categories. When asked how good this team was in comparison to his Mississippi State teams, it was difficult for Schaefer to respond.

“That’s a head scratcher,” Schaefer said in comparing this year’s edition of the Longhorns versus his squads in Starkville. “There’s days I look at them and I go, man, they’re really good. They’re elite. … I think we’ve got the right pieces. I think we’ve got size, which a lot of people don’t have. We have great guard play, and we obviously have a great point guard. So, I think this team’s got a chance. …This team prepares well. … They got a chance to be really, really good.”

• Games this week: vs. Missouri (Jan. 30), at Texas A&M (Feb. 2)

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Mississippi

When it comes to pulling off close wins in the SEC this season, the pendulum of favor has not been on the side of Mississippi. The Rebels dropped their fifth game against a ranked opponent in Sunday’s loss to Texas. Not to mention, among those five losses, four of them have come at seven points or less. What’s the issue behind Mississippi losing close games? It’s execution and the difference between a critical bucket or a key rebound, according to Rebels head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin.

“We started to get a little tight during the last four minutes [of the Texas game], and we couldn’t execute,” McPhee-McCuin said after the home loss to Texas. “It wasn’t because of anything they [Longhorns] did. … We just have to put ourselves in those positions [to win] and go forward.”

Although McPhee-McCuin further added that her team has grown over the season, Mississippi still has more to learn, especially if the Rebels plan to play deep into the month of March. “If we want to be elite, we have to figure out a way to win,”  McPhee-McCuin said. “…If we want to go to the tournament, we’re either going to lick our wounds and cry about it, or we’re going to step up and get ready to go on the road [against Georgia] and try to get a victory. You don’t have time to wallow in your misery.”

Continue to keep an eye on Sira Thienou in combination with Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams. After an uncharacteristic performance from Starr Jacobs in Sunday’s loss, expect her to bounce back against the Bulldogs and a ranked matchup against the Commodores.

• Games this week: at Georgia (Jan. 30), at Vanderbilt (Feb. 2)

Tennessee

Despite the Volunteers’ recent string of losses, Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell is truly the MVP after her and her husband, Justin, welcomed their new son, Conor Scott Caldwell, to the world on the night of Tennessee’s four-point loss to Texas and four days before the Vols’ seven-point loss to the Gamecocks. However, as Caldwell continues to navigate the season and life with a newborn, she must also figure out what will it take for the Vols to pick up some wins in close games. Tennessee (15-5), ranked at No. 18, is the only ranked team in the SEC with more than three losses in SEC play and is one of three teams —  Mississippi State and Florida —  with five conference losses. The Vols’ five losses (to Oklahoma, LSU, Vanderbilt, Texas, and South Carolina) have come by a combined 15 points.

Tennessee registered its worst shooting night of the season against the Gamecocks, knocking down only 30.7% of its field goals from the floor for a team that carries the top scoring offense (91.9 ppg) and the sixth best offensive rating (113.9) in the nation. When asked what it would take to put Tennessee over the hump, Caldwell discussed better shot selection — particularly from Talaysia Cooper — running in transition consistently, limiting mistakes down the stretch of games and playing a full four quarters. “It is harder to run when you’re not getting your shots because the other team is not worn down,” Caldwell said after the loss to the Gamecocks. “… The little plays can drive you crazy, fouls at the rim, and one [fouls] that we have to continue to try to learn from.”

After Sunday’s game, the Volunteers will face back-to-back ranked opponents, starting Feb. 6 against UConn and on the road on Feb. 9 against LSU. 

• Games this week: at Missouri (Feb. 2)

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs (16-6) dropped their fifth SEC contest in a road loss to Missouri while simultaneously giving the Tigers their first SEC victory of the season thanks to a buzzer-beater jumper from Grace Slaughter. But this time, it wasn’t just because of turnovers — although committing 12 was a key reason behind the Bulldogs’ loss. Jerkaila Jordan exploded for a career-high 40 points, leading an MSU team that shot the ball well (45.2% from the floor) and shot nearly 37% from beyond the arc (for comparison, Mizzou shot 38.1 from three point range) while also winning the rebounding category. However, Mississippi State shot 58.3% from the charity stripe (14-of-24) versus Missouri’s 87% (20-of-23), a game-defining stat in the Bulldogs’ loss.

In the Bulldogs’ loss to Mississippi, it was mainly the turnovers. Then, Sam Purcell’s squad responded with a dominating win against Auburn before the recent loss to what was once a winless Missouri. It’s the little things and a testament that any team can win on any night in the SEC. The Bulldogs, who currently sit at No. 34 in NET rankings, could bounce back in a big way with a victory on Sunday against the Tigers.

• Games this week: at LSU (Feb. 2)

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Florida

The Gators’ struggles continued last week with a road loss (74-51) on Sunday to Auburn. Florida has five SEC losses and a tough match-up on Thursday against Vanderbilt and a match-up on Sunday against Arkansas. The problems remain the same for Florida: turnovers. In the loss to Auburn, Florida committed 24 turnovers that resulted in 21 points for the Tigers. Combine that with the Gators shooting 34.8% from the floor (lower than their season average of 47.2% from the field), 3-of-11 from three point range and 16-of-23 from the charity stripe. With Florida’s losses and struggles, the Gators are no longer projected to make the women’s NCAA tournament. However, for multiple weeks, the team was listed as one of the next four teams out in women’s basketball bracketology. A win against the Commodores could change that.

• Games this week: Vanderbilt (Jan. 30), at Arkansas (Feb. 2)

Auburn

After a blowout loss to Mississippi State, Auburn (11-10) picked up its second SEC win of the season against Florida in a game that they led from start to finish. Freshman Yuting Deng (16 points off the bench) knocked down four three-pointers, despite struggling with an ankle injury recently. Even with Auburn’s record, the Tigers still sit at No. 59 in the latest NET rankings. Auburn’s second half of SEC play starts with five of its first six opponents being ranked teams, beginning on Sunday against South Carolina. If Auburn hopes to push its way up the NET rankings and get some wins in SEC action, it starts with getting additional production from the bench from players like Deng and Celia Sumbane.

• Games this week: at South Carolina (Feb. 2)

Texas A&M

The Aggies have the opportunity to close the month of January at .500 with a win on Thursday night against Arkansas. Texas A&M (10-9) picked up a huge victory against a ranked Kentucky team before losing on the road to LSU. But beyond the Aggies’ wins and losses, Texas A&M will have to navigate the second half of SEC play and the remainder of the season without its star player and leading scorer Aicha Coulibaly, who suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Aggies’ loss on Sunday to LSU.

Coulibaly led the team in points per game (12.8) while sitting second in blocks and minutes per contest as well as third in assists, steals and field goal percentage. For Joni Taylor’s squad, that means someone or the collective group, must step up in the absence of Coulibaly’s production. Sahara Jones, the team’s second leading scorer (9.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg), will certainly see more minutes after playing in all 40 against LSU, well above her team-high 29 per game. Taliyah Parker led the team in scoring in the loss while Solè Williams and Janae Kent combined for 13 points and Lauren Ware fouled out of the game, finishing with four points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes. While Texas A&M is favored to beat the Razorbacks, anything can happen. However, here’s an interesting stat: the Aggies are one of two SEC teams that have yet to win on the road this season. On the flip side, Texas A&M is 9-3 at home with in-state rival Texas coming to College Station on Sunday. A win against the Longhorns would further bolster the Aggies’ postseason resume, a program that sits at No. 66 in NET rankings but is among the next four teams out in women’s basketball bracketology.

• Games this week: at Arkansas (Jan. 30), vs. Texas (Feb. 2)

Missouri

The Tigers are no longer winless in SEC play after securing a one-point win (78-77) on Monday behind Grace Slaughter’s buzzer beater. Missouri (12-10) moved up this week in NET rankings after the win but still remains behind Texas A&M in the SEC at No. 74 and will face three top-20 teams in the next eight days starting Thursday on the road against Texas. Missouri will look to Slaughter, Ashton Judd and company to help secure more SEC wins. However, it is worth noting that Missouri is one of six teams in the SEC without a win against an AP top 25 team this season.

• Games this week: at Texas (Jan. 30), vs. Tennessee (Feb. 2)

Georgia

The Bulldogs have dropped four straight games, including Sunday’s disappointing loss on the road to Oklahoma. Despite facing a huge deficit in the first half against the Sooners, Georgia (9-12) played much better in the second half. But losing the battle on the glass, fast break points, a dismal three point shooting performance (2-of-17) and 19 turnovers resulting in 16 points for Oklahoma were key contributors to the Bulldogs’ demise. In the second half of SEC play, their schedule doesn’t get easier as the Bulldogs will face two ranked opponents — Alabama and South Carolina — in their next three games over an eight day span.

• Games this week: vs. Ole Miss (Jan. 30), at Alabama (Feb. 2)

Arkansas

The Razorbacks have lost their last four contests by 30 or more points, despite Izzy Higginbottom still remaining the fifth best scorer (23.2 ppg) in the country. Arkansas (8-14) completed a rough stretch of its schedule, facing four ranked opponents in consecutive games, with the last two contests on the road. The Razorbacks return home on Thursday for a match-up against the Aggies, a team that has not won a game on the road this season and will be without leading scorer Aicha Coulibaly. It’s possible that Arkansas could pick up its second SEC win of the season to close out the month of January.

• Games this week: vs. Texas A&M (Jan. 30), vs. Florida (Feb. 2)

SEC schedule this week

Thursday, Jan. 30

• Ole Miss at Georgia
• Oklahoma at LSU
• Alabama at Kentucky
• Vanderbilt at Florida
• Texas A&M at Arkansas
• Missouri at Texas

Sunday, Feb. 2

• Auburn at South Carolina
• Mississippi State at LSU
• Tennessee at Missouri
• Georgia at Alabama
• Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
• Kentucky at Oklahoma
• Texas at Texas A&M

Monday, Feb. 3

• Florida at Arkansas