NCAA March Madness Preview 2008: SEC Tournament Predictions
At first glance, predictions for the 2008 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament seem easy to make. But who will be cutting down nets on Sunday is anyone’s guess. Here are the top four teams most likely to bring the trophy home on Sunday.
Tennessee Although they’ve remained near the top of the national polls for most of the season(currently #4 in both the AP and Coaches polls), Tennessee has something to prove when it comes to SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament runs. You’d have to look back to 1991 to find a SEC tournament in which the Vols made it past the second game. Their last SEC tournament championship win was 1979. Tennessee’s SEC Basketball Tournament bracket includes potential games with LSU, who they defeated during the last seconds of the game in Baton Rouge, and Vanderbilt, who defeated the Vols in Nashville and took away their national No. 1 ranking three days after the Vols earned it in Memphis. If the Volunteers win their bracket, it is likely that either Mississippi State or Kentucky, teams that gave them fits during the regular season, will be waiting for them in the SEC Tournament championship game. Tennessee won the regular season championship with a best ever 28-3 record. A SEC Tournament Championship to go along with the regular season championship would sure make things sweet as soda pop at good ‘ol Rocky Top. Tennessee SEC Tournament Prediction: Toss-up. If the Vols feel personally challenged to show up and improve on their last 29 years of tournament play, they’re certainly capable of bringing home the SEC Tournament Championship trophy. They are the team to beat and it’s time for Chris Lofton, the Smith triplets, and company to take care of business at the SEC Tournament. But will Tennessee be looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, instead?
Kentucky
Early injuries and losses to Gardner Webb, UAB, Houston, and San Diego during the first half of the season had Wildcat fans concerned. However, good play during the SEC conference schedule has breathed new life into a Kentucky program that appeared doomed to miss the NCAA tournament. Kentucky is on its way back and Wildcat fans can leave www.firebillygillespie.com parked at GoDaddy.com for now. Can they get it done without Patrick Patterson? Which Kentucky team will show up? Go deep into the tournament or win the whole thing and it’s NCAA, not NIT. Kentucky SEC Tournament Prediction: Kentucky will have to get past Florida or Mississippi State in the second round. If they do, they could take it all. For the 26th time.
Mississippi State The Bulldogs are big, physical, and tough. Mississippi State has good road wins, is always hard to beat on their home court, and doesn’t back down from anybody. Tennessee thought they had them down for the count in Starkville and the Bulldogs shot lights out to get back in the game. Tennessee pulled that one out but look for Mississippi State to give anyone, including the Volunteers, some difficulty if they meet up with them in the tournament. The Bulldogs know a good tournament run could improve their seed in the NCAA tournament. The motivation is there. Mississippi State Tournament Prediction: Bulldogs will be chasing the Kentucky ‘Cats for a chance to play in the championship game.
Vanderbilt Pure perfection on their home court this year, the Commodores join Tennessee as the only other nationally ranked SEC team (#18 in the AP and #17 in the Coaches polls). A tough January schedule on the road and end of season losses cost them some spots in the national polls and a first round bye in the SEC Tournament. Winning four games in a row in the SEC Tournament is nearly impossible but Vandy has as good a chance as any team to make it happen. Vanderbilt needs more confidence while playing on the road. Just repeat it to yourselves, Commodores, and you’ll begin to believe that the neutral SEC Tournament floor in Atlanta is just like home, just like home, just like home. If Vanderbilt plans to win some games in the NCAA Tournament then the SEC Tournament is a good place to get on track. Vanderbilt SEC Tournament Prediction: Vanderbilt’s last SEC Tournament Championship was 1951. Shan Foster and company might bring one home this year for the Commodores.
SEC Tournament Dark Horse Prediction
Look out for LSU and Florida to create a ruckus in the tournament. On a good day, LSU is dangerous and Florida is already showing flashes of what next year will bring. Neither team is likely to win it all but they could provide an upset or two to make things interesting. And if you follow the SEC, you know you can never count any team out.
Some new faces have an opportunity to take home the trophy this year at the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. Conference play begins Thursday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m. at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The championship game is Sunday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. on CBS.
NCAA Basketball Polls, Fox Sports on MSN.com
Around the SEC, USAToday.com
Andy Glockner, College Basketball Bubble Watch, ESPN.com
2007-2008 Men’s Basketball Schedules, SECSports.com
Men’s Basketball Media Guide, Tournaments and Rankings, SECSports.com
