The Razorbacks caught another bracket break with Vanderbilt shocking Florida in the SEC semifinals.
The 2026 SEC Basketball Tournament has not unfolded the way anyone thought it would. A No. 15 seed made the semifinals and very nearly reached the final. No. 2 seed Alabama didn't even get to the semifinals, let alone the final. Most surprising of all, the team which dominated the SEC from mid-January through early March won't be playing in the championship game.
The Florida Gators didn't win their SEC Tournament semifinal on Saturday in Nashville. More than that, they didn't even come close. The final score was 91-74, and it was reflective of how lopsided the game was. Florida trailed by 13 at halftime and could never make a serious charge at the Commodores, who maintained and then increased their lead.
Florida's defense had been consistent and imposing over the past several weeks, but the Dores shredded them in both halves and were comfortable for all 40 minutes. Florida has usually been able to reel in SEC opponents by putting them through hell on defense, but Vanderbilt's offense was heavenly in this game.
The Steph Curry gold standard for shooting is the 50-40-90 slash line, referring to shooting percentages from the field, from 3-point range, and from the free throw line. Vanderbilt not only exceeded the Steph standard, it nearly reached 50-50-90. The Commodores hit 55 percent of field goals, 48 percent of triples, and 91 percent of foul shots. They cranked out 21 assists against just 8 turnovers. Florida's normally stout defense turned toothless against VU. Coach Mark Byington got his players to play their very best in a tournament setting.
Florida now has to wonder if it will be able to hold onto a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Gators might have been bumped down to the 2 line. We will find out soon enough on that count.
Meanwhile, Arkansas gets to face Vanderbilt instead of the Gators in the SEC final. It won't be easy, especially given the way VU is playing, but going up against Vanderbilt instead of the Florida juggernaut still has to rate as a positive development for the Razorbacks, who are now one win from their first SEC Basketball Tournament championship since 2000. That's a 26-year drought which is one game away from ending in Nashville on Sunday.
Let's see if Arkansas can make good use of this particular piece of great fortune. The Hogs didn't have to play Alabama or Florida to win the SEC title. Only Vanderbilt stands in their way. The ball is tipped ...