The SEC basketball predictions for the new season got off to a decent start, and there are four intriguing matchups on Wednesday's schedule.

Preseason favorites Kentucky and Florida both had impressive performances in their first game of the season, while Penn scored a surprising upset win at Alabama.

Four other SEC teams will try to avoid upset losses of their own, and two teams will feature new coaches looking to earn victories in their first game with the program.

Let's get to the picks.

Season Predictions Record (straight up): 6-2

North Alabama at South Carolina: Frank Martin thinks this could be the most talented team he's had in Columbia, so it's best to ignore the fact that the Gamecocks were picked 10th in the SEC preseason media poll. That's nothing unusual since they're picked low each season, but Martin typically finds a way to guide South Carolina to a successful campaign. AJ Lawson will be the driving force as one of the better guards in the league, and he should be the difference against a North Alabama squad that's adjusting to the Division I landscape in Tony Pujol's second season on the job. Prediction: South Carolina 80, North Alabama 61.

Incarnate Word at Missouri: The Tigers may be the SEC sleeper team that few people are talking about. Cuonzo Martin returns a nice group of talent from a season ago, including potential All-SEC forward Jeremiah Tilmon. But Missouri also adds an impact transfer in Dru Smith, who should be a key contributor in the backcourt. Incarnate Word finished last in KenPom's defensive efficiency ratings a season ago, and while the Cardinals should be improved, they're still in a major rebuild. Tilmon and company should take advantage against a team that lacks size and experience. Prediction: Missouri 84, Incarnate Word 54.

Northwestern State at Texas A&M: The Buzz Williams era begins in College Station, and he's got a solid group to work with in his first season. While TJ Starks is sidelined with an injury, the Aggies return two other double-digit scorers in Savion Flagg and Wendell Mitchell. Northwestern State was one of the worst shooting teams in the country a season ago, and while they scored 84 points in a win on Tuesday, it may be a challenge to find enough scoring in this one. Williams' squad should get the victory. Prediction: Texas A&M 79, Northwestern State 55.

SE Missouri State at Vanderbilt: Jerry Stackhouse joins the SEC coaching ranks as well, and he'll try to help the Commodores get back on track after a winless conference campaign last season. Fixing everything in one season will likely prove to be an impossible task, but Vanderbilt should still take some positive steps forward. Aaron Nesmith could be a breakout player in the league, and others like Saben Lee and Scotty Pippen Jr. provide nice versatility. SEMO returns a lot of production, but Rick Ray's team will need to improve its ball-handling and defense. The Commodores seem to be the better pick here. Prediction: Vanderbilt 75, SEMO 64.

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Blake Lovell is a national college basketball writer for ClutchPoints. He’s also a contributor for the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and Athlon Sports College Basketball Preview magazine. He hosts two podcasts: Marching to Madness (CBB) and Establish the Pass (NFL). 

You can follow him on Twitter @theblakelovell. Also, be sure to follow the ClutchPoints NCAA Facebook page for more great CBB discussion.