Sunday Quickies: SEC Championship Edition

With yesterday's tight win over the Alabama Crimson TIde, the Kentucky Wildcats are back to the SEC Championship game, a familiar place for John Calipari teams. The Cats will now play the Arkansas Razorbacks in the next round, a rematch of their regular season matchup which was a 97-71 win for Kentucky. This one surely isn't going to be as easy; Arkansas has won six of its last seven games, including SEC Tournament play. If Kentucky wants any chance at a No. 1 seed, they have to win (and they need some other miracles). A loss could drop them down to the three line.

Tweet of the day

How about this? De'Aaron Fox = John Wall speed + Brandon Knight clutch.

— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 11, 2017

That is one heck of a comparison to make, but after Fox scored 28 yesterday, including nine straight, it's hard to disagree. Will he put up another performance like that today?

Your quickies

Much has changed for Kentucky and Arkansas since that January blowout | Lexington Herald-Leader
Kentucky and Arkansas meet Sunday in the finals of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Kentucky whipped the Hogs 97-71 in January. A lot has changed since then, however. These days, nail-biters are the norm.

VIDEO: Kentucky's Isaiah Briscoe talks about De'Aaron Fox, Who let the dogs out? - 247
You know "The Fox & The Hound" from your childhood. Now Isaiah Briscoe tells you about Fox & the Dog during a light-hearted moment after Kentucky's 79-74 SEC Tournament win.

No more Kobe IXs in the SEC Tournament please | Kentucky Sports Radio
It's time to throw away those pairs of Kobe IX shoes. Today, De'Aaron Fox slipped all over the place in the beginning of the game while wearing a pair.

Wildcats’ signee hits a game-winner with state title on the line | Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
The Lady Blue Devils upended city rival Carver to win the Class 4A state championship after Tatyana Wyatt hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds left in overtime to give Columbus a 69-67 victory.

ESPN: Waters asks out of Georgetown pledge " UK recruiting news
Waters is the No. 9 point guard and No. 37 overall player in the class of 2017, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range on the Nike circuit last summer, playing on the same team as UK signee Nick Richards.

Kentucky Wildcats Dominique Hawkins says you can't stop De'Aaron Fox - 247
Dominique Hawkins has guarded several NBA guards during his career and none faster than De'Aaron Fox.

Kevin Knox Blog: Watching UNC vs. Duke, decision looming, Kodak Black and more | | USA High School Sports
Kevin Knox is an elite wing with "wow" factor athleticism, a  reliable jump shot and a motor that won’t quit; evident in why he’s ranked No. 7 overall in the ESPN 60.

Conference Call: Looking at impact 2017 players outside top 50 - Rivals.com
Who, from the 2017 class, could make a surprise run for their conference’s freshman of the year honors, but are not found within the top-50 of their class’ rankings?

Sean Miller says late timeout similar to one UCLA called at Arizona senior night - ESPN
Sean Miller called a timeout with one second remaining in Arizona's win over UCLA. Miller said he was just doing what UCLA's Steve Alford had done in a previous meeting between the rivals.

Mizzou basketball job viewed as an SEC 'jewel' | Mizzou | stltoday.com
Despite recent results, coaches around the league believe MU program can thrive. Missouri athletics director Jim Sterk insisted this week he’s heard similar praise for the job he’s now searching to fill.

Nathan Hale Declines DICK’S HS Nationals Invitation | SLAMonline
Ranked as the No. 1 HS team in the country, the Michael Porter Jr led squad will not partake in season-culminating national tourney.

Chris Boucher of Oregon out for rest of season with torn ACL - ESPN
Oregon has lost senior forward Chris Boucher for the rest of the season because of a torn ACL he suffered Friday night against Cal, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Mark Story: From 1-19 finish to the Sweet Sixteen, Meade County’s crazy season | Lexington Herald-Leader
Devastated by an injury to a vital player, Meade County lost 19 of its final 20 regular-season games. Buoyed by the return of its star, James Baker, the Green Wave were upset winners of the 3rd Region tournament and will be in Rupp Arena this week for the 100th Kentucky Boys’ Basketball Sweet Sixteen.

Spurs beat Warriors in battle of reserves - USA Today
Both the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors had stars on the bench last night, but the Warriors were far more short-handed, and it showed in the final score.

Domincan Republic beats US 7-5 in WBC - FOX Sports
Nelson Cruz' go-ahead three-run home run in the eighth inning helped the Dominicans overcome a five-run deficit.

Duke becomes first five seed to win ACC Tournament - Sports Illustrated
*eye roll*

Villanova wins Big East title - FOX Sports
The defending National Champions are the real deal...Again.