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2017 SEC Tournament: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Taylor Sturm

Mar 4, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Nolan Cressler (24) celebrates with fans after the game against the Florida Gators Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt won 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Nolan Cressler (24) celebrates with fans after the game against the Florida Gators Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt won 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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The second semifinal of the 2017 SEC Tournament, the Vanderbilt Commodores will face off with the Arkansas Razorbacks for a spot in the final.

TV schedule: Saturday, March 11, 3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

The Vanderbilt Commodores have now secured their spot in the 2017 NCAA Tournament with yet another win over the Florida Gators – this time in the quarterfinals of the 2017 SEC Tournament. However, there is still work to be done, as the Commodores face the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon in Nashville.

The forgotten team out of the SEC, the Razorbacks have been practically a tournament lock for weeks, and their close win over an extremely talented Ole Miss Rebels’ team just proved that further. Arkansas may not have the flashy wins over Kentucky and Florida that many SEC teams boast, but they did not lose to a large number of bad teams. A trip to the SEC Tournament final would send a message to the rest of the country that this Razorbacks’ squad is for real.

Heading into this game, Vanderbilt might be the hottest team in the country. When they are making shots from the perimeter, they can beat any team in college basketball.

However, the Commodores have to be wary in this one. Securing their spot in the Big Dance has to feel great, but Vandy must be careful not to let their guard down against this ferocious and underrated Arkansas squad. If the Commodores win this game, I think they win the 2017 SEC Tournament, but this game is a toss-up between two really, really streaky teams.

Next: The teams that could actually win the 2017 SEC Tournament

I’m picking the Commodores to win over the Razorbacks, but it’s too close to call. Watch for one of these teams to be a huge surprise in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, as well.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 70, Arkansas 68

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