No. 10 Kentucky looks to extend SEC lead against Florida

Here are a few things to watch in Southeastern Conference basketball this weekend:

GAME OF THE WEEKEND

Florida (17-9, 9-4) at No. 10 Kentucky (21-5, 11-2): The host Wildcats have won five in a row and stand alone atop the standings with a two-game edge on Florida, Auburn and LSU — the latter two of which have lost consecutive games. Meanwhile, Florida has regrouped from a 17-point loss at Mississippi to win its last three by an average margin of 16.3 points. The Gators have won five of six overall since a three-game slide and look to bolster their quest to earn one of the top four seeds and a double bye for next month’s conference tournament in Nashville. Kentucky has won the past two matchups since dropping three of four. The schools will meet again on March 7 in the regular-season finale in Gainesville.

LOOKING AHEAD

Since getting waxed 83-58 by rival Mississippi last week, Mississippi State (17-9, 8-5) has gutted out consecutive wins by a total of four points to tie for third with South Carolina and maintain NCAA Tournament hopes. The Bulldogs’ rebound included

NUMBERS GAME

Alabama has gone 51 of 138 from 3-point range (37%) the past three games. Against Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide was 16 of 44 on 3s and 8 of 15 from two-point range. The Aggies, the SEC’s worst 3-point shooting team (27%), converted a season-best 46% (11 of 24) in that

IMPACT PLAYER

Arkansas guard Mason Jones has averaged 25 points during the Razorbacks' five-game slide since No. 2 scorer Isaiah Joe underwent arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right knee. The 6-foot-5 junior leads the SEC in scoring (20.8 per game) and the nation in free throws (179) and attempts (218). He has converted 53 of 67 (79%) from the line during that span to help Arkansas (16-10, 4-9) stay close in three of those losses, including two in overtime. Joe has practiced this week and warmed up with the Hogs before Tuesday’s loss at Florida.

ON THE WOMEN’S SIDE

Kentucky forward Rhyne Howard became the program’s second-fastest player to break 1,000 points with 26 in the No. 14 Wildcats’