By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
SEC women's tournament
When/where: Today-Sunday; Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
Today: Arkansas (9) vs. Florida (8), 1; Alabama (10) vs. LSU (7), 3:30; Ole Miss (12) vs. South Carolina (5), 7:30; Mississippi State (11) vs. Auburn (6), 10
Friday: Tennessee (1) vs. Arkansas-Florida, 1; Kentucky (2) vs. Alabama-LSU, 3:30; Georgia (4) vs. Ole Miss-South Carolina, 7:30; Vanderbilt (3) vs. Mississippi State-Auburn, 10
TV: Today on FSN except Florida (Sun Sports). Friday on Sun Sports except Tennessee (FSN). Saturday's semifinals (4 and 6:30) on ESPNU. Sunday's final (5:30) on ESPN2.
The favorite: Tennessee went 16-0 in conference play with only three games — at Vanderbilt, at Kentucky and at LSU — decided by single digits. And not that it likely matters, but playing in Nashville will resemble a home game.
Dark horse: LSU went 5-8 in road games. But throw out an 81-51 loss to No. 1 Connecticut, and the average margin of defeat was 5.7 points. In addition, it went 3-0 on neutral courts.
Looking at Florida: There are no go-to, take-over players. Its strength is its collective play. In wins over Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Georgia to end the regular season, the Gators got strong play from everyone — scoring from freshman guard Jaterra Bonds, inside play from center Azania Stewart and outside shooting from 3-point threat Jordan Jones, among others.
Antonya English, Times staff writer