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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AUBURN, AL – FEBRUARY 01: J’Von McCormick #5 reacts with teammates Samir Doughty #10, Isaac Okoro #23 and Anfernee McLemore #24 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Semifinals

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 5 Florida

Florida can hang around with Kentucky during the regular season, but they can’t beat them. Now throw in the postseason and the Wildcats are just a different team. For Kentucky, it’s an easy path to the championship, where they’ll face a tough task in Auburn.

Prediction: Kentucky

No. 2 Auburn vs. No. 3 LSU

If Auburn wants to win the SEC championship, they’ll have to beat two outstanding teams back-to-back. First with LSU, then with Kentucky. They can do it and Bruce Pearl knows that. He has turned Auburn into one of the best teams in America. But will it happen?

Prediction: Auburn

Next. Top-25 power rankings. dark

Finals

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 2 Auburn

The matchup everyone wants to see. Immanuel Quickley vs. Samir Doughty, Bruce Pearl vs. Jon Calipari in the SEC championship, it doesn’t get better than that. Both teams can play defense; both can run the floor; both do the dirty work needed to win.

Prediction: Kentucky

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