The postseason is here for Alabama men’s basketball. The Crimson Tide entered the Southeastern Conference tournament as the No. 1 seed and earned the right to watch the first two rounds play out in Nashville, Tenn. while awaiting its quarterfinal opponent.

After No. 9 seed Mississippi State knocked off No. 8 Florida on Thursday, the Bulldogs welcome Alabama to Bridgestone Arena for a noon tipoff on ESPN. It’ll be the third time the sides have met this season with Nate Oats and co. taking the first two, most recently a three-point win on Jan. 25.

Mississippi State (22-11, 8-10 SEC) is ranked sixth in adjusted-defensive efficiency on KenPom, not allowing 80-plus points since conceding 87 to Tennessee two months ago. Offensively, however, the Bulldogs profile as one of the worst in the conference. Coach Chris Jans mainly relies on 6-foot-11 Tolu Smith, who’s coming off a season-high 28 points against the Gators.

Alabama (26-5, 16-2) last played on March 4, dropping a road contest to Texas A&M. The Tide has been in a shooting slump of late, converting 3-pointers at a 22% clip in its last four games. Its one-seed in the NCAA Tournament is likely locked in, but Alabama is still seeking its 17th SEC tournament title after winning the regular-season crown outright.

AL.com is courtside and will provide updates throughout.

FIRST HALF

—Alabama 7, Mississippi State 4 (15:35 remaining): Bediako has two early blocks, stuffing Will McNair Jr. in the post. The Bulldogs went right back at Bediako, with McNair Jr. scoring a hook shot on the following possession.

—Alabama 7, Mississippi State 2 (16:44 remaining): Miller picks up his first foul as Mississippi State rotates in some bench players. The Tide has yet to substitute.

—Alabama 5, Mississippi State 0 (18:54 remaining): Clowney scores the first bucket inside after a missed 3-pointer by the Bulldogs. Quinerly sunk the Tide’s first deep ball for an early lead.

PREGAME

–Alabama’s other starters are the usual quartet of Mark Sears, Noah Clowney, Charles Bediako and Brandon Miller.

–The Tide was presented with the SEC regular-season trophy on the court by conference commissioner Greg Sankey.

–Oats said on his pregame radio show that co-6th man of the year Jahvon Quinerly will start in place of freshman Jaden Bradley. Oats said Bradley advocated for Quinerly’s elevation in the starting lineup.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].