Happy Monday, basketball fans! Welcome to the Plainsman’s first installment of Around the SEC, our brief weekly roundup of the most notable games, players and storylines straight from hardwood. We’re going to try to have some fun with this, so without further adieu, let’s get into it.
Don’t forget about me, guys!: Punter, Vols make a statement against Gamecocks
Final: Tennessee 78, No. 24 South Carolina 69
TEN: K. Punter 36 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl
The top scoring performance of the weekend came from Tennessee guard Kevin Punter Jr., who poured in a career-high 36 points in the win against No. 24 South Carolina in Knoxville. The senior connected on 6 of his 11 3-point attempts, and converted 14 of his 15 shots from the free throw line.
Punter – often overlooked – currently ranks second in the conference in scoring behind Ole Miss’ Stefan Moody at 23.3 points per contest, and will look to continue his hot streak next week against an Alabama team that’s dropped five of its last six games. With the win over South Carolina, Rick Barnes moved to 4-4 all-time against his former Big 12 rival Frank Martin.
Small man syndrome: Frazier’s late-game heroics sink Razorbacks in OT
Final: Georgia 76, Arkansas 73
GA: J. Frazier 26 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl
Mark Fox and the Bulldogs take home game of the week honors for their overtime efforts against the Razorbacks on their home floor Saturday. Georgia’s poor free throw shooting almost cost them the game late, but junior J.J. Frazier put a “S” on his chest down the stretch with clutch baskets toward end of regulation and beyond.
Standing at 5-foot-10, all with an alleged migraine headache.
However, the severity of that migraine has to be brought in question after a performance like that, right? The Glennville, Ga. native finished with 26 and his backcourt partner Kenny Gaines added 16 in the win. It was a tough week for Arkansas hoops, to say the least.
King of the jungle: Canty’s 3-point celebration debunked
AUB: K. Canty 18.9 ppg, 2.3 reb, 5.3 ast
Since transferring from Marshall, Kareem Canty has wasted little time making his presence felt to SEC competition. The Harlem, NY kid is good, he knows he’s good and he’s not afraid to let opposing teams know either.
The redshirt junior has been knocking down Steph Curry-esque moon balls from around mid-court lately, which has led to the birth of a new celebration in college basketball.
Pumping his chest, raising his hands above his head and pointing at his wrist, network commentators took it upon themselves to name the celebration “my time”, however, Canty recently shared that the celebration is actually called “Auburn time” – and is his way of paying homage to one of his favorite players, Portland Trailblazers all-star point guard Damian Lillard – who is a pretty good role model to have, in my opinion.
Canty currently ranks in the top-10 in the SEC in seven statistical categories, and his play alone has been enough to fill Auburn Arena this season. If he can embrace his role as a leader and help Bruce Pearl’s bunch get back on track, a Lillard-type rise may be on the horizon, and is certainly not out of the question.
Notable Upcoming Games
Green room guys: No.1 Oklahoma (16-2) takes on LSU (12-7)
We’re going to get a mid-season treat on Saturday, Jan. 30 when National Player of the Year front-runner Buddy Hield and his Oklahoma Sooners head down to the bayou to take on freshman sensation Ben Simmons and the LSU Tigers as a part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
This game will feature two of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, and if both play to their potential, this matchup shouldn’t disappoint. The Sooners have been dismantling pretty much everybody (only losses to No. 1 Kansas and No. 19 Iowa State) this season while the Tigers are still finding their way – but forget about that.
Simmons. Hield.
This one is going to be fun regardless of the final score.
So, we meet again: No. 23 Kentucky (15-4) vs. No. 3 Kansas (16-3)
Speaking of a team still trying to find its way, many believe the Kentucky Wildcats are starting to hit their stride after a less than stellar start to the season (you know basketball fans are spoiled up there in Lexington). Now, they’ll have the opportunity to prove it against the Jayhawks this weekend in Phog Allen Fieldhouse.
It will be the latest chapter between two of the most storied programs in NCAA history and their Hall of Fame coaches. The Wildcats have won six of their last 10 meetings against Kansas dating back to 1989.
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