Previewing the 2011 SEC Tournament

There’s a lot of basketball set to take place this week, with teams scratching and clawing to try to make their way into the field of 64…..err, 68.

One particular tournament that catches my eye a little more so than usual this season, and that is the SEC tournament in Atlanta.

Before we get started, I’ll admit that I’m a Vanderbilt fan. But judging by the comments I’ll make about them here shortly, you’ll see that I’m not someone who twists everything to make it look like my team is perfect. They are not, and there’s no doubt about that.

As for the conference as a whole though, this is probably one of the weaker years in recent memory. It wasn’t particularly strong last season, but you still had the uber-talented Kentucky team that was the measuring stick of not only the SEC, but the country as well.

Florida won the regular season title outright, and that was to be expected. Billy Donovan‘s squad has the most experience, and even in the one-and-done world that college basketball has entered, that still counts for something down the stretch. Alabama tried to make a run at winning the regular season crown, but came up short when these two teams met in Gainesville, as Florida was clearly the better team.

Still though, it seems that the Gators aren’t the dominant team that Kentucky was last year when they won the conference and went on to grab a number one seed in the tournament. Florida could play their way into a high seed if they walk out of Atlanta with the 2011 tournament trophy, but they just don’t have that intimidation factor that we’ve come to expect from recent champions in this league.

They do have a whole lot of balance though. The guard combo of Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton is lightning quick, and will cause any backcourt in the country problems. Chandler Parsons can break out at any time and get going from downtown, and is the leader of that team. Inside, Vernon Macklin, Alex Tyus, and Patric Young are all physical and tough to contain on the boards.

So I guess with all that being said, perhaps we’re really underrating this team. I saw them in person on Saturday in Nashville against Vandy, and admittedly, I was extremely surprised at how well they played. Yes, I was surprised at how well the best team in the conference played. That’s when I knew that we were completely underestimating Donovan’s squad.

And well, if the champions have been underwhelming at times this season, you could imagine the thoughts surrounding the rest of the pack.

Alabama is talented, but let’s not act like the SEC West in basketball is like the SEC West in football. Kentucky is loaded with talent but have proven to be very inconsistent away from Rupp Arena. Vandy can score with anyone but leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end at times. Tennessee has to rely on Scotty Hopson for pretty much everything. Georgia is solid but have been somewhat disappointing this season. And the list goes on.

So just like the regular season, this tournament really is Florida’s for the taking. I don’t trust any of these other teams. Just too much inconsistency from everyone else. Again, Florida’s not spectacular, but in this case, the season standings just don’t lie.

Here’s what the matchups are for Thursday:

E4: Georgia vs. W5: Auburn – 1:00 PM ET (winner plays Alabama)
W3: Ole Miss vs. E6: South Carolina – 3:30 PM ET (winner plays Kentucky)
W4: Arkansas vs. E5: Tennessee – 7:30 PM ET (winner plays Florida)
E3: Vanderbilt vs. W6: LSU – 10:00 PM ET (winner plays Mississippi State)

Looking at it on the surface, Kentucky might be the popular pick to win this thing. That side of the bracket looks to be a little easier than Florida’s side (mainly because I don’t think the Crimson Tide get the credit they deserve), but again, anyone could knock off anyone in this league this season. Alabama or Georgia could easily be in the finals if they get on a roll.

The Gators will have a tough test in their second round game (I’m gonna assume they will match up with the Vols), and then a date with Vandy or Miss. State on Saturday will be very difficult.

We’ll save the predictions for Thursday. For now though, while the Gators’ road to an SEC tournament crown may look tough, the other teams aren’t making it easy to pick against the regular season champs.

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