There are a couple of Final Four contenders from SEC Basketball in the NCAA Tournament. Will they make it all the way?
In the latest Busting Brackets roundtable, writers Jonathan Geib, Dakota Cox, Alex Weber and Brian Rauf answered some burning questions about SEC Basketball. Here are some of their answers.
1. Who has a more favorable path to the Final Four, Tennessee or Kentucky?
Alex Weber
I would say Kentucky has a far more favorable path to Minneapolis. For starters, a second-round matchup with Seton Hall or Wofford is inherently unfrightening, and Cincinnati with an all-around star in Cumberland and Iowa with their high-volume three-point shooting to me are more threatening.
Beyond that, Villanova is the reigning national champion and just won the Big East tournament. They’re hot, and a Jay Wright team hot from beyond the arc is as scary a six-seed you’ll see. Plus, an Elite 8 clash with Virginia and their wacky style presents a tougher challenge than Kentucky’s potential bout with a North Carolina team they handled back in December.
Dakota Cox
Kentucky can’t complain about having a bad bracket this year. Their path through the Sweet Sixteen is pretty clear. Whether they have to play UNC or a hot Auburn in the Elite Eight, I like their chances. Tennessee has the toughest potential opponent in either bracket in Virginia. If UVA gets upset before the Elite Eight, Tennessee has a chance. However, I don’t like their odds.
Jonathan Geib
Kentucky has a more favorable path. The 3-seed in the Midwest Region with Kentucky is Houston, who I believe was ranked too high. The only big road block for Kentucky to make the Final Four is UNC, but they would not meet until the Elite 8. Tennessee on the other hand could potentially have to play strong 3, 6 and 7 seeds in Purdue, Villanova and Cincinnati, respectively, not to mention Virginia if they advanced to the Elite 8.
Brian Rauf
Tennessee does by a mile. Kentucky will likely have an extremely tough second round game against the Seton Hall/Wofford winner, Sweet 16 matchup against a three-loss Houston team, and then Elite Eight game against UNC. Tennessee may not be legitimately tested against a top team until Virginia in the Elite Eight.