John Clay's Sidelines

(AP photo)

SEC links for Sunday:

Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger on Mississippi State’s win over Auburn: “Given the result, State fans couldn’t care less about the explanation. The announced 8,854 saw Bost make 11 of 19 field goals, hit 7 of 12 3-pointers, make all three of his free throws and come a rebound shy of a double-double. Four assists, too. Thanks in large part to Bost, State dominated overtime. Bost had a driving layup and the pull-up 3-pointer with 1:06 to play that essentially sealed the win.”

Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun on Florida’s important loss to Xavier: “Florida had a chance in its final non-conference game of the season to change its recent perception as February fade artists. Xavier’s bigger, more physical front line had other ideas. Behind a dominant performance on the glass and in the paint, Xavier turned the O’Connell Center into its own house of horrors. The Musketeers took Florida to the woodshed, winning 76-64 and delivering another blow to UF’s NCAA Tournament hopes.”

Pat Dooley of the Sun writes that depth is doing in the Gators: “This was supposed to be the big opportunity, one more chance in a non-conference game to show they belonged. Instead, Florida showed exactly what it is. Not bad. Worthy of consideration. But not in the same league with the teams who know they’ll be in the NCAA Tournament.”

David Climer of the Tennessean on Vandy’s 77-69 win over LSU: “With about 6½ minutes remaining in the first half of Vanderblit’s game with LSU on Saturday afternoon, Stallings spun around and aimed his right foot at the chair he previously had occupied. Sometimes you just have to channel your inner Bob Knight, I guess.”

Seth Emerson of The State says South Carolina lacked execution in loss to Georgia: “This was a game it could not lose. Not with postseason hopes on the line, not with a big lead late in the game. If this were a test of South Carolina’s ability to play under pressure on the road, it failed – and the ramifications could be severe. USC lost 66-61 at Georgia on Saturday after leading by 10 points with nine minutes left, and by nine points with 5:49 left.”

(AP photo)

Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News on the Crimson Tide holding off Arkansas: “After a long frustrating skid, the University of Alabama men’s basketball team was able to hit the brakes on its losing streak Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide overcame a sluggish start, thanks in part to a halftime lecture from head coach Anthony Grant, and erased a 13-point second-half deficit en route to a 73-68 win over SEC West leader Arkansas at Coleman Coliseum.”

Don Kausler, Jr. of the Birmingham News reports on Alabama’s win over Arkansas: “Two of the central figures in Alabama’s 73-68 victory over Arkansas on Saturday at Coleman Coliseum were a guard from Little Rock, Ark., and a guard from Montgomery. Of course, the player from Arkansas was Alabama senior guard Anthony Brock. The player from Montgomery was Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson.”

Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean on Vandy’s spark off the bench: “Missing two of its top six players, Vanderbilt overcame a gritty LSU team still looking for its first SEC win 77-69 before a sellout crowd at Memorial Gym. Lance Goulbourne had a career-high 18 points off the bench and Jermaine Beal added 17 to lift the Commodores (19-5, 8-2 SEC), who were without starting forward Andre Walker and reserve guard John Jenkins.”

Bill Sanders of the AJC reports on Georgia’s comeback win: “Georgia trailed by seven with four minutes to play, and didn’t catch up until Price made two free throws with 1:09 to play, giving Georgia a 60-59 lead. Price, Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins combined to go 9-of-9 from the free-throw line in the last two minutes to seal the win.”

Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register on Mississippi State’s overtime win over Auburn: “Auburn was doomed by an out-of-sync overtime period in an 85-75 loss to Mississippi State Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum. The Tigers (12-13, 3-7 SEC) missed nine shots and scored only one point after regulation expired. The Bulldogs (18-7, 6-4) survived a slow start to seize control of the SEC West.”

Special to The Advocate, Jerome Boettcher writes on LSU’s loss in Nashville: “For 36 minutes Saturday, the LSU men’s basketball team didn’t look like a team that had suffered 12 straight Southeastern Conference losses. The Tigers were the ones giving No. 22 Vanderbilt fits, building a first-half lead thanks to a stifling zone defense and having answers for the Commodores late.”