Bridgestone Arena in Nashville is the site for the electric SEC Basketball Tournament this week/weekend with 14 teams competing for the tournament championship and the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Tournament next week.
Should be a fascinating event like it always is. Alabama, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Auburn, Florida Tennessee and maybe Arkansas are in, though Arkansas has really been sliding lately. Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are clearly on the bubble and need to win a couple, at least in Vanderbilt’s case, to earn a spot into the 68 team NCAA field next week.
This is also about winning a coveted championship. Which team will cut down the nets Sunday around 2:15-2:30 PM CT?
Here are White’s World’s predictions for this year’s compelling edition.
First Round, Today
No. 13 Ole Miss (3-15, 11-20) vs. No. 12 South Carolina (4-14, 11-20)
6 PM CT
SEC Network
Ole Miss by 7
Like the Rebs, but like it close. Both teams are scrappy, so I’m looking for a battle that comes down to the last seconds.
Ole Miss 74, South Carolina 71
No.14 LSU (2-16, 13-18) vs. No. 11 Georgia (6-12, 16-15)
approximately 8:30 PM CT provided no OT in first game
SEC Network
LSU by 3
I like the Bengal Tigers. CJ Williams is one of the best players in the country people may not be familiar with. He’s 6’9” 250 and can knock down shots inside, protect the rim, rebound and knock down trifectas.
LSU 75, Georgia 70
Thursday
No.9 Mississippi State (8-10, 20-11) vs. No.8 Florida (9-9, 16-15)
12 PM CT
SEC Network
Give me Bullies to move on to the quarters.
MS. State 70, Florida 65
No.13 Ole Miss vs No.5 Tennessee (11-7, 22-9)
2:30 PM CT approximately
SEC Network
The 17th ranked Vols are without stellar point guard Zakai Zeigler, who suffered a knee injury a week ago and is lost for the rest of the season. But the Vols still have a lot of good players, so I like them here.
Tennessee 75, Ole Miss 65
No. 10 Arkansas (8-10, 19-12) vs. No.7 Auburn (10-8, 20-11)
6 PM CT
SEC Network
Auburn gets the job done and advances. It’ll still be a barnburner. Should be riveting.
Auburn 81, Arkansas 78
No. 6 Vanderbilt (11-7, 18-13) vs. No. 14 LSU
8:30 PM CT
SEC Network
The Dores have to have it and I like them to survive a strong effort from the Bengal Tigers, which defeated them on the Bayou a couple of weeks ago. Jerry Stackhouse was selected co-SEC coach of the year along with Buzz Williams of Texas A&M. Stack was highly deserving of that award. His team won its last 8 of 9 after an embarrassing 40 point loss in Tuscaloosa. He kept the team together and now they’re on the cusp of making the NCAA Tournament. Have to have it here though.
Vanderbilt 74, LSU 73
Friday
No.9 Mississippi State vs. No. 1 Alabama (16-2, 26-5)
12 PM CT
ESPN
The No.4 Crimson Tide (AP Poll) looks to overcome all the controversy from this season, despite it being a highly successful one on the court. The controversial and polarizing Brandon Miller will be under the microscope in Nashville. Alabama handled his situation poorly. It was above Nate Oats’ level of expertise. Alabama President Stuart R. Bell should have suspended Miller for the pat down introduction move before the Arkansas game two weeks ago. No consequences for Miller, so we’ll see how he handles it going forward. Hope this entitlement doesn’t cost him in the future when he’s really trying to make a living and he makes another tragic mistake.
Alabama 80, Mississippi State 70
No. 5 Tennessee vs. No.4 Missouri (11-7, 23-8)
2:30 PM CT
ESPN
What a job first year coach Dennis Gates has done at Missouri. I like them to advance. They are ranked 25th in the country now.
Missouri 75, Tennessee 71
No.7 Auburn vs. No.2 Texas A&M (15-3, 23-8)
6 PM CT
SEC Network
No. 18 A&M has defeated Auburn twice this season already, so I’ll take the Tigers in the third time around in a major scuffle.
Auburn 75, A&M 73
No.6 Vanderbilt vs No.3 Kentucky (12-6, 21-10)
8:30 PM CT
SEC Network
This is an upset pick, but the Dores defeated the No.23 Wildcats in Lexington a week ago, even though stellar big man and defensive player of the year Liam Robbins was lost for that game and the season 4 minutes into that game. Robbins suffered a broken bone in his lower leg. I like Jordan Wright, Tyrin Lawrence, Ezra Manjon and the Dores to do it again. They punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
Vanderbilt 87, Kentucky 86, OT
Saturday, Semifinals
Alabama vs. Missouri
12 PM CT
ESPN
I’ll take the Crimson Tide in another major confrontation.
Alabama 75, Missouri 74
Auburn vs. Vanderbilt
2:30 PM CT
ESPN
I like a blockbuster here. I’ll take the Tigers due to their rebounding advantage with Robbins out for the year. Vanderbilt stays in it with their prolific 3 point shooting and almost pulls it off.
Auburn 88, Vanderbilt 86, OT
Championship Sunday
Alabama vs. Auburn
12 PM CT
ESPN
The Iron Bowl? Episode 3. The Crimson Tide has won twice over the Tigers this season, but I like a blockbuster as well here. I’ll take the Crimson Tide in an epic.
Alabama 94, Auburn 92, OT
MVP of the Tournament, Brandon Miller. He seems to be impervious to pressure and controversy.
8 Responses
That would be one heck of a run by Auburn! I think there will be a lot of surprises in this tourney. Bama has been on a decline coming into the tourney. I hope you nail this one!
Thanks, WP! It’s up in the air for sure.
War Eagle. Love your pick. Great slate of games. Definitely a premier conference!
Thank you David.
Thanks, ‘80.
I like A&M. Their guards and free throw shooting versus Bama was point on. Thanks for the preview DW
Thanks Bama G.
Love the picks but I think Kentucky ends up winning this – not sure but probably against Alabama. The lower part of the bracket much tougher since UT is a guard down
Thanks, MB. I hope my Dores can handle Kentucky, but that’s a good pick.