SEC Tournament Preview and Predictions

Before I get on with the predictions, let me just say that I hate the blight of divisional seeding inflicted upon us by this league (yes, I know I went to school at a league school, I don't care). The matchups have been skewed by this insanity. If we had correct seeding, our order would go Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Vanderbilt (the last bye instead of Mississippi St.), Georgia, Mississippi St., Tennessee, Ole Miss, Arkansas, South Carolina, Auburn, LSU. Instead we have this ridiculousness as you can see below.

First Round

Georgia vs Auburn – Don't let the last two come from behind wins fool you. Auburn still stinks and Georgia will prove it.

Ole Miss vs South Carolina – Ole Miss stinks too (as does pretty much everyone except Alabama in the SEC West. While South Carolina isn't much better, I trust them more than any western teams at this point.

Arkansas vs Tennessee – Here comes a Vols special. They have been so up and down that there is no way they win this game. The team has been all over the place all season. Heck its been going on for two years now. The team is just a group of headcases. Razorbacks win.

Vanderbilt vs LSU – LSU is just miserable. They finished behind Auburn in the standings. That is hard to do. Meanwhile, Vandy can really play and looks like they could be a nice sleeper for a deep tourney run.

Second Round

Georgia vs Alabama – Alabama won this game a week ago and they will do so again. JaMychal Green will neutralize Trey Thompkins offensively again.

Kentucky vs South Carolina – There is no way South Carolina manages to win this game. Kentucky seems to be rounding into form (the road win proves that unless it was just Tennessee flakiness) and should pound the Gamecocks.

Arkansas vs Florida – Tennessee would have a much better chance of unseating the Gators here. The Razorbacks, not so much. Chandler Parsons is the best player on the court and unless there is talent to matchup with the others, the best player usually wins. Arkansas lacks that talent on its roster.

Mississippi St. vs Vanderbilt – The headcases against the brainiacs will go to the brainiacs. Vandy is much better than Mississippi St. and Mississippi St. could go back to imploding at any time. Commodores win easily.

Semifinals

Alabama vs Kentucky – I think Kentucky is rounding into form and they will get some revenge for a bizarre road loss to Alabama earlier this season.

Florida vs Vanderbilt – Have to go with the chalk here. Florida is playing really good basketball right now for the first time in a long time.

Final

Kentucky vs Florida – Florida is rally good and is playing great basketball right now, but Kentucky has more talent and doesn't have to worry about a road crowd here. Wildcats take the tournament.