In a rematch of the regular season finale, the Florida Gators open the 2017 SEC Tournament in a Nashville showdown with the Vanderbilt Commodores.
TV schedule: Friday, March 10, 7:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network
A narrow win at home against the Florida Gators kept the Vanderbilt Commodores in the 2017 NCAA Tournament for now, but a win on Friday in the 2017 SEC Tournament quarterfinal would all but guarantee them a spot in the final 68.
Suddenly catching fire after searching for an identity all season long, the Commodores finished the regular season as arguably the hottest team in the country and brought that with them down the road to Bridgestone Arena. Vandy dominated the Texas A&M Aggies by a score of 66-41 and will hope for more of the same against the Gators.
Florida, on the other hand, head into the 2017 SEC Tournament after being somewhat of a surprise regular season title contender. While those who follow the SEC closely are not surprised at all, those who do not are likely to see this team as “overachieving.” That is not the case. This Florida team is solid from top to bottom and is more than capable of a push to the Final Four – in fact, I would go as far to say that this team is a lock for the Elite Eight.
On Friday night in Nashville, however, it’s hard to see the streaking Commodores fall to anyone – despite my earlier predictions that Florida would win it all. Vanderbilt is shooting extremely well right now as a team, and Florida has shown themselves to be vulnerable to Vandy when they are making shots from the perimeter.
While I think Vanderbilt meets a rough and disappointing end early in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and well before the Gators, they get the win here. Bryce Drew and Co. are for real, and they deserve that trip to the Big Dance.
Next: 6 teams that could win the 2017 SEC Tournament
Prediction: Vanderbilt 74, Florida 69