Alabama and Auburn Both Pick Up Wins to Start SEC Play:

November 7, 2022; Auburn, AL, USA; Wendell Green Jr. (1) and Johni Broome (4) reacts during the game between Auburn and George Mason at Neville Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Taylor/AU Athletics

Last night marked the start of conference play in college basketball, and the SEC appears that it will be amongst the strongest conferences in the nation. There were five SEC matchups on Wednesday night, with Alabama and Auburn both winning their battles against Mississippi State on the road, and Florida at home, respectively.

As for the rest of the conference, No. 7 Tennessee had a scare against Ole Miss on the road, but was able to pull off a four point victory, and LSU was able to upset No. 9 Arkansas in Baton Rouge. The surprise of the night was unranked (not for long) Missouri’s domination of No. 19 Kentucky, who has not gotten off to the best start.

The Crimson Tide went 10-2 in non-conference play with some very impressive wins and their only losses coming to No. 2 UCONN and No. 10 Gonzaga. Alabama was sloppy against Mississippi State, who had a nice non-conference start of their own, but was able to pull off a 78-67 victory due to a 19 point and 11 rebound effort from freshman star Brandon Miller and 20 points from transfer guard Mark Sears. The turnovers continue to be an issue for the Tide however, giving the ball away 19 times.

No. 20 Auburn, who also went 10-2 in non-conference play, had a thriller of a win over the now 7-6 Florida Gators at home by a score of 61-58. Johni Broome led the way for the Tigers with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Wendell Green added 14 points as well, and Jaylin Williams had 13.

The Crimson Tide return to Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday night to take on Ole Miss before back-to-back ranked matchups against Kentucky at home and Arkansas on the road. Auburn hits the road to take on Georgia before a huge matchup at home next Saturday night against Arkansas.