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Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and the sudden rise of Tennessee

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 28, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers bench reacts after a three pointer against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 70 to 58. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers bench reacts after a three pointer against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 70 to 58. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks take the court during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks take the court during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

SEC

Lead-Pipe Lock: Kentucky

Some Perspiration: South Carolina, Florida, Arkansas

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Tennessee

South Carolina Gamecocks, 17-4 (7-1): The Gamecocks are off to a stellar start in conference play, with a win over Florida and their only loss coming on the road against Kentucky. They can do better than the nine seed they currently have, but it would take almost a spotless record against every SEC team except for Kentucky.

Quality wins: vs. Michigan, vs. Florida, @ Tennessee

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: @ LSU (2/1), vs. Georgia (2/4)

Florida Gators, 16-5 (6-2): Just behind South Carolina, Florida is the third team in the SEC likely to receive a bid. Their high SOS and quality number of wins makes them a difficult team to leave out of the tournament. They could easily sit on a top-5 seed line by the end of the year. A five seed exactly in my last bracket, the Gators are the closest SEC team to joining Kentucky in the lock zone.

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

Bad losses: vs. Vanderbilt

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

Up next: vs. Missouri (2/2), vs. Kentucky (2/4)

Arkansas Razorbacks, 16-5 (5-3): Before getting dismantled by Oklahoma State, Arkansas had won four games in a row. Their record in the SEC is solid, and will likely be the fourth team from the conference to receive a bid. On the whole, the SEC isn’t having the best season, even if they might get five teams into the tournament.

Quality wins: @ Tennessee, vs. Houston

Bad losses: vs. Mississippi State

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

Up next: vs. Alabama (2/1), @ Missouri (2/4)

Tennessee Volunteers, 12-9 (4-4): For more on Tennessee, see the introduction of this article.

Quality wins: vs. Kentucky, vs. Kansas State

Bad losses: @ Ole Miss, vs. Chattanooga

Missed opportunities: @ North Carolina, @ Florida, vs. Oregon, vs. Gonzaga, vs. South Carolina, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Arkansas

Up next: @ Mississippi State (2/4), vs. Ole Miss (2/8)

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