Around the SEC Basketball: Week of Nov. 12

SEC basketball is officially underway as teams tipped off last week for their season openers.

Week 1 Recap

Eleven of the fourteen teams started off their season with a win. Here are some of week one’s most notable matchups.

No. 9 Tennessee’s 80-42 win over Tennessee Tech

Coming off a March Madness run that was cut short in the Sweet 16, Tennessee left immediately looking into when they would next step onto the court. With a run shorter than they had hoped for, Tennessee made a statement with their opening season matchup to begin this year.

On Monday, Nov. 6, the Volunteers faced off against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech and left with a 38-point win. Led by 6 '6 guard Dalton Knecht, who had 17 points along with the team totaling eight blocks and forcing 16 turnovers from the Golden Eagles.

With this dominant start, Tennessee begins the season 1-0 as they prepare for their next matchup which will be held Friday, November 10th as they face off against Wisconsin from the Big 10.

Mississippi’s 71-56 win over Arizona State

Mississippi State started off their season facing off against Arizona State where they ended the night 1-0, ending the game with the final score reading 71-56.

Mississippi was led by 6 ‘4 guard Trey Fort, who ended the night with 21 points, and having not one, not two, but three players have nine rebounds totaling for twenty-seven just between them alone.

The Bulldogs' next match-up will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11 as they face off against Tennessee-Martin.

Vanderbilt 68-62 loss to Presbyterian

The SEC did not only receive wins though, as the Vanderbilt Commodores took a shocking 68-62 loss to the Presbyterian Blue Hoses.

The game consisted of Vanderbilt heading into the half with a short lead of 28-24; however, that lead did not last as the Blue Hoses came back out scoring the Commodores 44-34 in the second half winning them the game.

Vanderbilt will look to bounce back as they face off against the USC Upstate Spartans who are also 0-1 on Friday, November 10th.

A look ahead

Now looking into this week's upcoming match-ups, here are some non-conference games to look out for.

No. 15 Texas A&M at Ohio State

After the Aggies had a very early exit in last year's March Madness tournament falling to the Big 10’s Penn State, they take on their first Big 10 opponent since having to face off against Ohio State on Friday, November 10th.

Texas A&M returns with stars such as Wade Taylor IV and looks to continue to be dominant under Buzz Williams's defense once more in hopes of having another successful season, but will first have to take care of Ohio along with their young talent, Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr.

Virginia vs. Florida

Florida will host their first big match-up of the season as Virginia goes south for the game.

They will play one another Friday, November 10th both going into the game 1-0 on the season.

While neither team made the AP Poll to begin the season, both teams went through what is on paper a very successful transfer portal off-season.

Virginia gained Dante Harris, Jordan Minor, and Andrew Rohde. Meanwhile, Florida gained Zyon Pullin, Walter Clayton, Micah Handlogten, Tyrese Samuel, E.J. Jarvis, and finally Julian Rishwain.

All these transfers should make for an entertaining and very unexpected matchup.

These match-ups along with others will make for much more fan-favorable and close-scoring games as the SEC heads into Week 2 for Men’s Basketball.

Bronwyn Liber is a first-year student majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact her, email brl5354@psu.edu.