Bracketology 2024: Bubble Watch Updates for each conference in early March

SEC

Locks: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee

It’s been a strong year for the top of the SEC, with each of these teams seemingly taking turns looking dominant one week at a time. Tennessee has clearly been the best of the bunch and find themselves in the running for a 1-seed. Everyone else is already in great shape for decent seeding, though each with a chance to move up the seed line with a run in the SEC Tournament. All six have nice wins, though South Carolina has the weakest metrics, with their NET at just 46.

Should Be In: Mississippi State

Mississippi State’s NET is 39 and they have some nice wins on the resume, including over Auburn and Tennessee. However, they’re certainly not at lock status, sitting under .500 in league play after three straight losses, all blown chances at more Quad 1 wins. Mississippi State could still play their way out of the field, but winning against South Carolina and showing up in the SEC Tournament would prevent that.

Work to Do: Ole Miss, Texas A&M

These two teams, however, have played their way out of the field during SEC play. After a 13-0 start to the season, Ole Miss has struggled in league play and their NET is way down at 79, lowered by some rough losses in recent weeks. Things are a little better for Texas A&M, who have won back-to-back games after a tough February. These two play Saturday and the loser might be done from an at-large consideration.