2011 SEC Tournament Predictions

Three seasons removed from their last conference title, the Florida Gators are finally back on top. Billy Donovan's boys won the SEC regular season championship with a 13-3 record. Now they're looking to capture their first SEC postseason title since winning three straight from 2005-2007.

East division rivals Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky figure to be Florida's toughest competition, but the West schools won't go down without a fight. Alabama and Mississippi State will likely need to advance all the way to the title game to get off the bubble.

Without any further ado, here are my NCAA basketball picks for the 2011 SEC tournament.

 

First Round - Thursday

E No. 4 Georgia v. W No. 5 Auburn: Georgia was nearly caught looking past Auburn when it needed overtime to defeat the Tigers earlier this season. The Dawgs won't make that mistake again.

E No. 6 South Carolina v. W N. 3 Ole Miss: Look for the Rebels to avenge last month's loss to South Carolina. They enter the tourney having won six of 10 while the Gamecocks have lost eight of nine.

E No. 5 Tennessee v. W No. 4 Arkansas: Led by Scotty Hopson, expect Tennessee to prove that its seeding is deceiving.

E No. 3 Vanderbilt v. W No. 6 LSU: Vandy clubbed LSU by 21 this season, and it will show the Tigers no mercy following a pair of defeats to Kentucky and Florida.

 

Quarterfinal Round - Friday

W No. 1 Alabama v. E No. 4 Georgia: This game very well could decide which of these teams gets into the big dance. After falling at Bama last week, I expect Georgia to have its revenge.

E No. 2 Kentucky v. W No. 3 Ole Miss: A loss at Ole Miss last month assures us that the hottest team in the league won't be caught looking ahead here.

E No. 1 Florida v. E No. 5 Tennessee: I think the third time will be a charm for Tennessee. The Vols lost to Florida at home in overtime and then lost to the Gators again by one point in the swamp. Tennessee, which underachieved this season, will want this game just a little bit more.

W No. 2 Mississippi State v. E No. 3 Vanderbilt: This is where Vandy puts an end to Mississippi State's NCAA tournament hopes. The Commodores won the regular-season meeting by seven and should take care of business again.

 

Semifinals - Saturday, March 12, 2011

Game 9 - E No. 2 Kentucky v. E No. 4 Georgia: These teams split during the season, but Kentucky is the superior team. The Cats polished off Florida, Vandy and Tennessee in their last three games. They appear to be peaking at the right time.

Game 10 - E No. 3 Vanderbilt v. E No. 5 Tennessee: Vandy wants this game badly after losing both regular-season contests to Tennessee. Unfortunately, the Dores don't match up well against the Vols' superior athletes.

 

Championship - Sunday, March 13, 2011

Game 11 - E No. 2 Kentucky v. E No. 5 Tennessee: A nice run by Tennessee, but reigning SEC tournament champion Kentucky should flex its muscles a third time this season against the Vols.

College basketball odds makers have listed Kentucky as the favorite (+115) to win the 2011 SEC tournament.

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