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SEC Basketball: 5 takeaways from 2022 SEC/Big 12 Challenge games

By Matt Melton

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - JANUARY 29: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with fans after defeating the Baylor Bears at Coleman Coliseum on January 29, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - JANUARY 29: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with fans after defeating the Baylor Bears at Coleman Coliseum on January 29, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball Jabari Smith Auburn Tigers (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Auburn & Ole Miss Cruise, Florida’s Second Half

Top-ranked Auburn stayed hot on Saturday afternoon as the Tigers cruised to a 86-68 win at home over Oklahoma, setting up the previously mentioned matchup with Alabama in Auburn Arena on Tuesday night. As for Ole Miss, the Rebels also picked up a win where they led for a majority of the contest as Ole Miss defeated Kansas State 67-56.

As for the Gators, Florida avoided picking up what would likely be considered as a bad loss as they overcame a notable deficit to defeat Oklahoma State 81-72, mainly due to out-scoring the Cowboys 49-27 in the second half.

For a team that is likely sitting just outside the NCAA Tournament at the moment, Florida had dropped two straight games entering Saturday, and badly needed momentum entering an important next month. The opportunity is there for the Gators with games against Kentucky, Auburn, and Arkansas set, but Florida must take advantage of stretches such as the upcoming matchups with Missouri, Ole Miss, and Georgia.

Bubble teams in Mississippi State and Texas A&M did not help their tournament chances with losses on Saturday, and it certainly appears that Florida could’ve easily been in that group also if not for their big second half on Saturday.

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Altogether, it was an impressive day for SEC Basketball against one of the best conferences in the country in the 2022 SEC/Big 12 Challenge, only continuing the momentum that the conference currently has on the hardwood.

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