The Southeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament will be bigger and better than ever. The additions of Oklahoma and Texas to the league bring the total number of teams gathering in Nashville, Tennessee to 16 and the race to win the crown Sunday will feature one of the deepest fields in the event’s history.
Three teams from the league – Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee – have already been No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll. Florida hasn’t reached the top spot but enters the postseason ranked No. 4 and is seeded second. There’s a host of contenders behind the leading quartet. Kentucky and Texas A&M have shown the ability to beat some of the best teams in the country.
And what about the Sooners and Longhorns, who are making their first appearance? Both are fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives and every win this week will boost their case come Selection Sunday.
It shapes up to be week full of drama and competition with one team emerging victorious.
BRACKETOLOGY:Fight for No. 1 seeds, bubble lead projected NCAA field
TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS: SEC | Big Ten | ACC | Big 12 | Big East
SEC conference tournament schedule, bracket, scores
First round
Wednesday, March 11
Arkansas 72, South Carolina 68
Texas 79, Vanderbilt 72
Mississippi State 91, LSU 62
Oklahoma 81, Georgia 75
Second round
Thursday, March 13
Mississippi 83, Arkansas 80
Texas 94, Texas A&M 89 (2OT)
Missouri 85, Mississippi State 73
Kentucky 85, Oklahoma 84
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 14
Auburn vs. Mississippi, 1 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Texas, 3:30 p.m.
Florida vs. Missouri, 7 p.m.
Alabama vs. Kentucky, 9:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Saturday, March 15
Auburn-Mississippi winner vs. Tennessee-Texas winner, 1 p.m.
Florida-Missouri winner vs. Alabama-Kentucky winner, 3:30 p.m.
Championship
Sunday, March 16
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
All times Eastern
SEC tournament favorite
Before last week, Auburn was the runaway favorite to win the conference tournament. Much has changed, however. The Tigers were beat on the road at Texas A&M and then fell at home to Alabama. They’re still the best team in the field, but how they respond to this first sign of adversity will be important. The door is open for Florida and Tennessee to make runs. The Crimson Tide also can get hot, though winning three games in a row might be challenging. Texas A&M and Kentucky should not be discounted with their ability to knock off top teams. It should be a fun ride.
SEC tournament players to watch
Johni Broome, F, Auburn – The Tigers would not be in this situation without Broome’s return for a fifth season. He dominated the SEC, earning player of the year honors while averaging a double-double (18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds). If Broome is on his game, the Tigers will be tough to beat.
Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida – In two years after arriving from Iona, Clayton has been the best player for the Gators. His all-around game is critical to the team’s success and his ability to make shots from distance will help stretch leads or bring Florida from behind.
Mark Sears, G, Alabama – Sears will be looking to duplicate his strong postseason run of last year that helped power the Crimson Tide to the Final Four. He leads an offense of six double-figure scorers at 19.2 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Wade Taylor IV, G, Texas A&M – The Aggies get their cues from how well Taylor is playing. He averages 15.2 points per game and is the one A&M wants to have with the ball in his hands at crunch time.
Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee – The heart and soul of the Volunteers, Zeigler is the team’s floor general and also one of the team’s best defenders. He averaged 7.5 assists – good for fifth in the country – and can step up with a clutch shot when Tennessee needs it most.
SEC tournament bubble storylines
While there is depth at the top of the field, there’s also several teams fighting for spots to make the NCAA Tournament. Georgia and Arkansas appear to be comfortable after charges late in the season, but they will want to remove all doubts by winning their first game. Oklahoma notched huge win at Texas in the regular-season finale, giving the Sooners a boost and dealing a blow to the rival Longhorns. Both teams still need to advance at least one and maybe two rounds to feel safe. However it shakes out, the SEC is poised to break the record for most bids in one tournament.
