The SEC basketball season started yesterday, and while the Tigers wait until Tuesday to start

There were plenty of surprises in the season opener. Here are the results:

• Tennessee 96, Georgia 50

That Tennessee dismantled Georgia isn’t a complete surprise, Tom Crean is in stage one of his rebuild there. But Missouri fans can take a small amount of satisfaction in knowing the Vols won’t be coming into Missouri pissed off after a loss. So there’s that.

• Alabama 77, Kentucky 75

Alabama’s upset of Kentucky wasn’t too shocking, the Tide have largely underachieved so far this season and got hot shooting from outside early and held on.

• Arkansas 73, Texas A&M 71

This isn’t a huge surprise, both teams aren’t very good, and Arkansas nearly coughed up the lead late, but it’s going to be a very long season in College Station.

• South Carolina 71, Florida 69

This one is a surprise, I’ve been skeptical on the Gators for a while due to their questionable front court and struggles offensively under Mike White. But losing to South Carolina (6-7), a team whose best win was against the 172nd best team in KenPom, isn’t a great look. South Carolina will fight you. And they fought, and somehow beat Florida on their own court. Rough start to league play for the Gators.

• Ole Miss 81, Vanderbilt 71

Right now I’m not sure what to make of either of these two teams. Vandy has some talent but they don’t defend well and don’t have a clear offensive approach. And Ole Miss was so bad last year... they might have found something. I liked Breein Tyree and Terence Davis a year ago, but the back court was almost too full and roles remained undefined for too long. But the way they’re playing right now, I look at Ole Miss a lot like I look at Missouri. Maybe you weren’t expecting a whole lot going in, but they’re playing well and there’s enough of a soft middle they could make some serious noise.

However while Missouri was off, Cuonzo Martin didn’t waste his Saturday:

The Highland shootout is a major event in the St. Louis area. They routinely bring in top teams from around the midwest and top teams from St. Louis and have a nice little Saturday.

Yesterday Cuonzo could knock out several prospects in one spot by watching Vashon, Chaminade, CBC, and Nicolet (WI). Obviously top recruits there are current signee Mario McKinney and 2020 wing CamRon Fletcher at Vashon. Luke Kasubke at Chaminade, Caleb Love at CBC, and top 5 combo forward Jalen Johnson at Nicolet.

The truth is Johnson is more of a shoot your shot kind of appearance, Mizzou isn’t a very likely destination for the 5-star forward, but if he’s playing at an event with two of your top 2020 targets, a signee, and another wing you’ve offered you might as well show up and be seen right?

But being there for Fletcher and Love, and Kasubke, plus being there for McKinney as well, is a good thing for Mizzou’s 2020 class.

The Mizzou Women take on Tennessee today

The Vol women are ranked 10th in the country and you’re on the road. It will take a big effort for the Mizzou ladies (currently unranked) to sneak out with a win, but they did beat Tennessee last year. So good luck ladies. The game is on ESPN2 at 1pm, so tune in, or if you’re in Knoxville show up!

Yesterday at Rock M

More Links:

• Mizzou Gymnastics picked up three wins in their season opener. I’d be lying if I said I understood exactly how this all works but they’re a top 20 team and have started 3-0, I know that’s good.
• KU lost at Iowa State. There was something eerily similar in to the box score:

• In maybe Jakeenan Gant was pretty good just needed the right place department:

• Also: OMG

Seriously Zion. Why is he forced to play college basketball for free again?