Bracketology 2023: 8 biggest storylines during Championship Week

Feb 26, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) is congratulated by teammates after making a three point basket to tie the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Bracketology Auburn Tigers guard Wendell Green Jr. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Various potential outcomes in the SEC Tournament

The SEC quietly had a bizarre past season, outside of Alabama nearly running the table to win the regular-season title. The second-place team was Texas A&M, which went 15-3 in league play. What the issue will be for them is the multiple Quad 4 losses suffered in the non-conference, which will affect their overall seeding. Any other team will be looking at a 2/3 seed with that kind of record but the Aggies may need to win the tournament to get to the 4/5 range.

The SEC also has surprise team Missouri in the double-bye as a 4 seed and they have a chance to escape the 8/9 seed range but will potentially have to deal with 5-seed Tennessee, which doesn’t have Zakai Zeigler for the rest of the year.

The two second-round matchups already set could have major implications as well. Both Auburn and Arkansas (7 vs 10) are safe in the NCAA Tournament but an early loss by either of them could see the loser slide to a 10 or 11 seed. The other one is Florida, which has fallen after losing Colin Castleton, taking on Mississippi State, which is squarely on the bubble. If the Bulldogs lose to the Gators, they could be ending up in the NIT. Alabama gets the winner of that game.

Look out for 6-seed Vanderbilt, who is outside of the bubble at the moment but is on a tear and could make some noise. They have an injured Kentucky as the 3 seed in a potential quarterfinal game and wouldn’t see Alabama until the finals. The SEC Tournament historically has been one to affect Bracketology and it wouldn’t be a shock if it happened again.

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