March brings along the most important matches of conference tournaments. This is the last chance for teams to make their case before Selection Sunday.
Several teams are fighting for the No. 1 seed, while others want to punch tickets to the NCAA Tournament. And tonight, the most significant battles are set to happen! But three matches are bound to get the adrenaline going.
Top 3 Matches to Watch Out for Today!
1. Is It Redemption or Repeat at the SEC Semifinals?
Tonight, No. 5 South Carolina will go up against No. 10 Oklahoma at the SEC Semifinals. The last time these two teams met, it was a recipe for disaster for the Sooners. In January, the Gamecocks had the win from the opening tip. They went to have a 19-point first-quarter lead and had a 41-point blowout win. So, what exactly is going wrong with Oklahoma?
Well, it is turnovers. The Sooners coughed up the ball 22 times, handing South Carolina 32 easy points. However, this time, the stakes are high. Sooners cannot mess up, as any slip-up will aid South Carolina for a third straight SEC tournament title.
In the quarterfinals against Vanderbilt, Chloe Kitts alone posted 25 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, MiLaysia Fulwile earned the team 15 points and four steals. So what exactly does this mean?
If Oklahoma wants a shot at the Semis, they must play their best game and, more importantly, find a way to break South Carolina’s defense. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks must avoid the offensive lulls that nearly cost them against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks might go to the finals if they clean up their mistakes.
2. A Battle for Bragging Rights for No. 9 LSU!
The No. 1 seed, Texas, will face No. 9 LSU. The LSU Tigers need to be worried, as Texas is coming off a 14-game winning streak. Additionally, Texas will undoubtedly be looking to keep its No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, LSU had a rather rough game against Florida.
The Tigers went on to win with Aneesah Morrow’s record-breaking 36-point performance. But the match against the Longhorns will be tough as their junior guard, Flau’Jae Johnson, will be off the hard courts due to a knee injury. This also means more pressure on Morrow and the rest of the lineup. However, there are some chinks in the Longhorn armor!
The quarterfinal against Ole Miss was not an easy one for Texas. However, their SEC Player of the Year, Madison Booker, managed to keep the win with 19 points and seven rebounds. Suppose LSU can take advantage of Texas’ aggressive style and limit important players to the bench.
Then yes, the Tigers might just pull off the upset. Additionally, let’s not forget this is a rematch. Last month, the two teams went against each other, and LSU lost. Now, they are looking to make a comeback that will be remembered.
3. The Big Ten Semifinals, USC vs. Michigan
The Big 10 Semis are set to happen tonight, with No. 2 USC going up against Michigan. And boy-oh-boy, is this going to be tough for Michigan! USC’s JuJu Watkins has been a scoring machine all season. She scored 31 points and 10 rebounds against Indiana in the quarterfinals alone.
The Trojans have been outscoring opponents by nearly 23 points per game this season. Watkins has undoubtedly played a major role in this. Meanwhile, all hope is not lost for Michigan, as they are not the same team that lost by 20 to USC in December. The Wolverines are peaking when it matters.
KEEP READING: JuJu Watkins Earns Incredible Comparison – ‘I See a Lot of Maya Moore’
The Wolverines went against Maryland in the quarterfinals and won 98-71. So essentially, this match is all about whether Michigan will be able to slow down Watkins and break USC’s offense. Anything can happen ifthe Wolverines can keep it close heading into the fourth quarter, However, if the Trojans gain the upper hand, it might just be adios to Michigan.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
