Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Bubble Watch and a mailbag full of questions

By Lukas Harkins

Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Daryl Macon (4) celebrates after making the game winning free throw against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Arkansas won 71-70. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Daryl Macon (4) celebrates after making the game winning free throw against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Arkansas won 71-70. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

SEC

Lead-Pipe Lock: Kentucky

Some Perspiration: Florida, South Carolina

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Arkansas, Georgia

Florida Gators, 14-5 (5-2): To this point in the year, the Gators being 14-5 with one hardest schedule’s in the country is very impressive. They have wins over four potential tournament teams and prior to their loss to Vanderbilt, they had no bad losses. It is unlikely that anyone can contest Kentucky for the SEC title, but Florida can at the very least help give the SEC a good name this season.

Quality wins: vs. Seton Hall, vs. Miami, vs. Arkansas, Georgia

Bad losses: vs. Vanderbilt

Missed opportunities: vs. Gonzaga, vs. Duke, @ Florida State, @ South Carolina

Up next: @ LSU (1/25), @ Oklahoma (1/28)

South Carolina Gamecocks, 16-4 (6-1): Their effort against Kentucky wasn’t too great, but the Gamecocks are still in pretty good shape. Coming in at an eight seed in this week’s Bracketology puts them safely in the tournament, even if they remain on the bubble. South Carolina does not have to face Kentucky again this season, and if UK loses one more, maybe SC can take a lead in the conference.

Quality wins: vs. Michigan, vs. Florida, vs. Mississippi, @ Georgia

yBad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Seton Hall, vs. Clemson, @ Kentucky, @ Memphis

Up next: @ Missouri (1/28), @ LSU (2/1)

Arkansas Razorbacks, 16-4 (5-3): Although there is a clear top-three in the SEC, Arkansas also has a fighting chance to make the tournament. Houston is an okay win, but it is far from the best. In fact, the Razorbacks are 0-3 against the RPI top-50, which isn’t great. As a positive, the team is 16-1 against teams outside the top-50, a very good record.

Quality wins: vs. Houston

Bad losses: vs. Mississippi State

Missed opportunities: @ Minnesota, @ Kentucky, vs. Florida

Up next: @ Oklahoma State (1/28), vs. Alabama (2/1)

Georgia Bulldogs, 12-7 (4-3): Georgia has played a fairly rigorous schedule so far this season, with many of their losses coming against tournament teams. Their problem is that they don’t have a win against a likely at-large bid team. They get Kentucky twice down the stretch of the season, as well as playing Florida and South Carolina once in games that give Georgia great opportunities to improve their resume.

Quality wins: @ Mississippi

Bad losses: @ Texas A&M, @ Oakland

Missed opportunities: vs. Kansas, @ Florida, vs. South Carolina, @ Clemson, vs. Marquette

Up next: vs. Alabama (1/25), vs. Texas (1/28)

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