SEC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 22: Ashton Hagans #0, Immanuel Quickley #5 and Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate defeating the Florida Gators 65-59 after the game at Rupp Arena on February 22, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 15: Nick Weatherspoon #0 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Teams to look out for

Team to beat: Kentucky

Kentucky is the No. 1 seed in the 2020 SEC Tournament and rightfully so. The Wildcats are a team that can easily make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Beating Florida, completing the comeback, even with players fouling out and not traveling, should prove they are one of the favorites and should not be overlooked.

Top contender: Auburn

Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers, a season after a Final Four run, secured the No. 2 seed. The Tigers, when at their best, can play with anyone in the country. They’ve lost to teams they shouldn’t have, but Pearl gets them ready for March.

Team likeliest to surprise: Mississippi State

The Bulldogs are a team nobody should overlook. Reggie Perry was named to the All-SEC first team and was named SEC Co-player of the year. They can shoot the ball, play physical and beat you at your own game. As it would be a surprise if the Bulldogs go on a run, it shouldn’t come as a shock.

Anyone can win

There’s a clear favorite and that is Kentucky. Then, there is Auburn and LSU. After that, Mississippi State, Florida and South Carolina can all make a run. Alabama is a team that hasn’t won more than two games to close out the season in the last four years. When at their best, they can play against anyone, but when struggling, nothing goes right. The title is up for grabs in what is seemingly a three-way fight.

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