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SEC WBB conference tournament preview

By Blake DuDonis

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KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 7: Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Stephanie White coaching during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 7, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 7: Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Stephanie White coaching during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 7, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#12 Vanderbilt v #13 Arkansas
Two teams still in the infancy of their rebuilds, both Vanderbilt and Arkansas had some good moments this season despite their final conference record. Vanderbilt had Tennessee on the ropes at home before ultimately losing by 10, a loss that snowballed into a six-game losing streak before they finally defeated the Razorbacks in the season finale. Meanwhile, Arkansas ended the season on a six-game losing streak of their own after a good run where they played Kentucky close and beat Alabama on the road. The winner of this game will face #5 Texas A&M in the next round.

Stats to know- Vanderbilt

The good-  Perhaps surprising to many, Vanderbilt ranks Top 30 in the country in both effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage.

The bad- While the shooting numbers are solid, their issue is what happens when they miss. The Commodores rank 337 out of 349 teams in offensive rebounds per game and 343rd overall in total rebounds per game.

Stats to know- Arkansas

The good- This team has taken to new head coach Mike Neighbor’s philosophy of being unafraid to shoot; they led the SEC in total field goal attempts by 40. They also committed just 12 turnovers per game, 13th fewest in the country (and their turnover rate of 14% is 9th best).

The bad-  Rebounding is an issue for the Hogs as well. Their 30.6 defensive rebounds per game is the 5th fewest in the country. Also, while shooting the ball isn’t a problem, making the shots can be. As a team, Arkansas has shot 36.6% as a team, good for 308th overall.

The spread

This game is actually a pick em, meaning both teams are as likely to win as the other. The win probability numbers are just in Arkansas’ favor at 51-49.

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GAINESVILLE, FL- Florida head coach Cam Newbauer reacts to a play in a game earlier this season. (Imagine curtesy of http://www.alligator.org/)
GAINESVILLE, FL- Florida head coach Cam Newbauer reacts to a play in a game earlier this season. (Imagine curtesy of http://www.alligator.org/) /

#11 Florida v #14 Ole Miss
The Rebels of Ole Miss were able to register just one SEC win this season but it was against their first round foe. January 7 in Oxford was the site of the win and it took double OT to get it. Since then, the Rebels have dropped 13 straight. For the Gators, despite only winning 3 SEC games, they nearly defeated both Missouri and Texas A&M on the road during the month of February. The winner of this game will face #6 Missouri in the next round.

Stats to know- Florida

The good-  Their 38.9 rebounds per game is 4th in the conference. Also, they are pretty disciplined defensively as far as fouling is concerned, ranking in the top 81 percentile in terms of not committing fouls.

The bad- Their team points per 100 possessions of 85.3 ranks all the way down at 290 and their turnover margin of -7.4 ranks last in the conference.

Stats to know- Ole Miss

The good- Ranking in the Top 50 nationally in both blocked shots per game and blocked shot percentage proves that the Rebels have some rim protectors.

The bad-  They are giving up 99 points per 100 possessions to opponents, making them one of the 40 worst teams in the country in that regard. Not helping that is their 62.2% rebounding rate, ranking 316 out of 349 teams.

The spread

Florida is -5.5 against Ole Miss with a 64% win probability.

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