Feb 8, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard mark Sears (1) drives in opposition to Arkansas Razorbacks ahead Billy Richmond III (24) through the second half at Bud Walton Area. Alabama received 85-81. Obligatory Credit score: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Pictures Did school soccer season restart up? As a result of who would have ever thought Auburn and Alabama could be ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in school basketball? Come Saturday, the 2 colleges could have a showdown at Tuscaloosa to determine which faculty is No. 1.
The Tigers are 21-2 after shedding to then-No. 6 Florida 90-81 on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are 20-3 with six straight victories. The basketball packages—Bruce Pearl for Auburn, Nate Oats for Alabama—presently have higher head coaches than the soccer packages (Hugh Freeze of Auburn, Kalen DeBoer of Alabama).
Kevin Durant returns to the court docket Tuesday to take purpose on the 30,000-point mark. Durant wants 26 factors to get there because the sputtering Phoenix Suns host the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant and his mates are second within the Western Convention.
We’ll talk about the Suns’ possibilities of beating the Grizzlies whereas additionally finding out the 2 Southeastern Convention powers. Auburn visits Vanderbilt and Alabama is at Texas.
AUBURN TIGERS AT VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Auburn had received 14 consecutive video games earlier than falling to the Gators however remained atop the ballot by 9 factors, primarily as a result of it acquired 34 first-place votes to Alabama’s 23. The Tigers’ protection upset in opposition to Florida as Auburn gave up a season-worst factors within the 90-81 setback.
Nationwide Participant of the 12 months candidate Johni Broome had 18 factors and 11 rebounds to notch his 14th double-double of the season. Miles Kelly scored a season-best 22 in opposition to Florida after tallying in single digits in two of the earlier 4 video games.
Vanderbilt began 13-1 earlier than dropping 5 of its subsequent eight video games. The Commodores trailed Texas by 10 factors within the second half on Saturday earlier than rallying for an 86-78 triumph. Jaylen Carey recorded profession bests of 18 factors and 14 rebounds.
Vanderbilt is 12-1 at residence, so Auburn would possibly discover itself in a detailed recreation. However depend on the Tigers to drag away within the second half.
Auburn -9, -108 (DraftKings)
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ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE AT TEXAS LONGHORNS
The Crimson Tide are 7-1 on the highway with the lone loss coming at then-No. 15 Purdue in mid-November. Alabama’s final 4 highway wins have all been by six factors or much less, together with Saturday’s 85-81 win over Arkansas. The Crimson Tide led by 18 within the second half earlier than the Razorbacks made a late-game cost.
Mark Sears has 13 20-point outings for Alabama, however he is been inconsistent currently and had simply 11 factors in opposition to Arkansas. Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood every had 15 factors and Mouhamed Dioubate got here off the bench to attain 14 factors on 7-of-9 capturing.
The Longhorns began 11-2 however have since gone 4-7 in SEC play, together with consecutive losses to Arkansas and Vanderbilt. Texas coach Rodney Terry made a very good level after the loss to the Commodores. “Lots of groups lose two in a row on this league,” Terry stated.
However can the Longhorns (10-4 at residence) rating the large win they should brighten their resume? In all probability not.
Alabama -3, -108 (DraftKings)
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MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES AT PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns sit at .500 after shedding 4 of their final 5 video games. Durant is again after lacking three video games with a sprained left ankle, and you’ll count on him to take purpose on the 30K mark. He would be the eighth participant in NBA historical past to succeed in the milestone.
Durant stated he wasn’t offended to be talked about in commerce talks. That is good, because the Suns are 2-11 this season when Durant would not play. Devin Booker has been on his recreation with 4 3-point outings within the final six video games, topped by a season-high 47 to go along with 11 assists in a 135-127 extra time win over the visiting Utah Jazz on Friday.
The Grizzlies received 10 of 11 video games earlier than shedding 125-112 to the visiting Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Saturday. Memphis was outworked on the boards by a 55-40 depend. Desmond Bane scored 20 and has notched 20 or extra in 14 of his final 17 appearances.
Memphis defeated the host Suns 117-112 on Dec. 31. Star Jaren Jackson Jr. had 38 factors and Bane scored 31 for the Grizzlies. Durant had 29 factors for Phoenix.
Kevin Durant, 27-plus factors, -115 (DraftKings)
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