SEC Basketball Predictions: Vanderbilt/Texas A&M CC, Alabama/FAU, and Texas A&M/UL Monroe

It’s been a fun start to the college basketball season, and several SEC basketball teams are already flexing their muscles early on.

Kentucky is the new No. 1 team in the country after a great first week, while Florida proved that it still has a lot of work to do after an ugly loss to Florida State.

Let’s get to the picks for Monday's action.

Season Predictions Record (straight up): 16-4

Texas A&M-CC at Vanderbilt (8PM EST, SEC Network): The Commodores held off SEMO in Jerry Stackhouse’s first game as head coach, and Aaron Nesmith and company will try to keep the momentum going in this one. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Southland, and an improved offense is a must if the Islanders want to finish higher than that. They struggled to find scoring in an 82-49 loss to Louisiana Tech to open the season, and Vanderbilt should be able to cause similar issues due to its length and athleticism. Prediction: Vanderbilt 79, Texas A&M-CC 59.

Florida Atlantic at Alabama (8PM EST, SEC Network+): College basketball is a wild sport, and Alabama fans are probably trying to figure out how Penn, who spoiled Nate Oats’ debut in Tuscaloosa, followed up that upset win with a 19-point loss to a Rice team that lost to Arkansas by 48. Of course, the biggest concern for the Crimson Tide is Herbert Jones’ injury status. Jones played just 10 minutes in the Penn game after suffering an elbow injury in the first half, and it’s clear that the team just isn’t the same on defense when he’s not on the court. As for the Owls, they’re coming off a 14-point loss at Miami but do have the size to give Alabama some problems in the paint both on offense and defense. However, the Tide should have something to prove here. Prediction: Alabama 81, Florida Atlantic 70.

UL Monroe at Texas A&M (8PM EST, SEC Network+): The Aggies won their opener against Northwestern State and will now turn their attention to one of the most experienced teams in the country. UL Monroe’s roster includes a plethora of upperclassmen, and that’s something the Warhawks will need to lean on in this road matchup. But even with TJ Starks sidelined due to injury, Texas A&M should have enough firepower to get the victory. Prediction: Texas A&M 83, UL Monroe 65.

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