The always entertaining SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament gets underway Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 6 PM CT as the Vanderbilt Commodores take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. That game will be followed by Missouri and Georgia. Will be a stellar five days of basketball action. Here are predictions for the tournament, and which team I like to cut down the nets at 2:30 PM CT on Sunday.

All times are Central

Last year, 10-3 record. Alabama pick correct on SEC Champion

Wednesday

No.13 Vanderbilt (4-14, SEC, 9-22) vs. No. 12 Arkansas (6-12, 15-16)

6 PM

SEC Network

I would love to pick my Commodores. Vanderbilt defeated Arkansas at Bud Walton on Tuesday, February 27th, 85-82. But I like the Hogs to get the job done and advance. Doesn’t mean I won’t be pulling for the Commodores to pull off the upset.

Arkansas 78, Vanderbilt 74

Game 2

No.14 Missouri (0-18, 8-23) vs. No.11 Georgia (6-12, 16-15)

8:30 PM

SEC Network

It’s been a rough one for Mizzou. Georgia has done OK under Mike White in his second year. I like the Dawgs to adcance.

Georgia 65, Missouri 54

Thursday

Game 1

No.9 Mississippi State (8-10, 19-12) vs. No. 8 LSU (9-9, 17-14)

12 PM

SEC Network

Both teams are fighting for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Both need to win a couple and maybe win the whole thing to pass the Lunardi test and make it in. Give me the Bullies in a rock fight.

State 68, LSU 67

Game 2

Arkansas vs. No.5 South Carolina (13-5, 25-6)

2:30 PM approximately, depending on if there is OT in the first game

SEC Network

South Carolina is solid all around. Give me the Gamecocks.

South Carolina 62, Arkansas 58

Game 3

No.10 OIe Miss (7-11, 20-11) vs. No.7 Texas A&M (9-9, 18-13)

6 PM

SEC Network

Ole Miss needs to win the tournament to make the NCAA’s, while A&M needs to win at least two games if not make it to the championship game. I’ll go with the Aggies.

Texas A&M 58, Ole Miss 54

Game 4

Georgia vs. No. 6 Florida (11-7,21-10)

8:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Florida needs to win a game to ensure its inclusion into the NCAAs. I like them to get it. But it won’t be easy. This is a rivalry in everything.

Florida 78. Georgia 72

Friday

Quarterfinals

MS. State vs. No.1 Tennessee (14-4, 24-7)

12 PM

ESPN

The Vols are playing for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. I like them to take that first step over the Bullies. But I like State to give them everything they want. State will be hovering on the brink on Sunday. Lunardi has them as a last four bye. I keep going to Lunardi because he got 63 of the 64 top 64 teams last year and 62 the year before.

Tennessee 72, State 70

Game 2

South Carolina vs. No.4 Auburn (13-5, 24-7)

2:30 PM

ESPN

Like Johni Broome (16.4 points per game, 9th SEC; 8.5 boards per game; 2nd behind Anderson Garcia of A&M, who has 9.1) and the Tigers to survive and advance in a tussle. South Carolina is still safely in the NCAAs.

Auburn 74, SC 72

Game 3

A&M vs. No. 2 Kentucky (13-5, 23-8)

6 PM

SEC Network

Like the ‘Cats to keep their great momentum going. They are the hottest team in the SEC and they couldn’t have picked a better time than now to be sizzling. The first game for a team is always tricky however. A&M going to be sweating it out come Sunday. Lunardi has them as the first team out right now.

Kentucky 81, A&M 77

Game 4

Florida vs. No.3 Alabama (13-5, 21-10)

8:30 PM approximately

SEC Network

Should be another 15 rounder here. Give me the SEC’s leading scorer, Mark Sears (21.1 per game), and the Crimson Tide to just outlast the Gators and advance to the semis.

Crimson Tide 84, Florida 83

Saturday, Semifinals

Auburn vs Tennessee

12 PM

ESPN

Give me Pearly and the Tigers in a slight upset. It’ll be a battle of attrition and a superb basketball game.

Auburn 85, Tennessee 84 (OT)

Alabama vs. Kentucky

2:30 PM, approximately, probably, later

ESPN

I like the red hot Wildcats to advance in an extremely hard fought contest. Both teams are tourney bound as are the semifinal teams above. Four very solid teams. Both these teams rely on the three quite a bit. If they’re falling, this game will be a spectacle.

Kentucky 90, Alabama 88

Championship Sunday

Auburn vs. Kentucky

12 PM

ESPN

Both teams are playing for a higher NCAA tourney seed and a championship, so the stakes are high. Both will get a higher NCAA seed by making it to the SEC final. Kentucky is shooting for a 3 seed, and Auburn a 4 or 5; a 3 with a championship ring. Kentucky could possibly earn a two seed with a victory. Seedings are important in the NCAAs for matchup purposes. The higher the seed you earn, the more favorable matchups you get in the NCAA tourney. So a lot to play for.

Auburn will give the Cats everything they want, but John Calipari has a 410-121 career record (77%) for a reason. He has also hoisted 6 SEC trophies in 2010, 2011, and 2015-18. It’s been a minute since 2018, so I like Cal and his Wildcats, which are playing superb basketball ball right now, to prevail over a tough, hard-nosed Bruce Pearl coached Tigers team.

Kentucky 75, Auburn 73

‘