SEC Tournament Preview with Analysis And Current Odds to Win
3/10/11
The SEC Tournament will take place on March 10-13 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Last year’s winner Kentucky won it for the first time since 2004. Much of their team from last year is gone, but HC Calipari has brought in plenty of new guns to try and defend their title. The Wildcats (21-8, 9-6) get lots of help from freshman G Brandon Knights (17.7 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.1 RPG). He had 24 points in an early season win over Washington and 25 on the road at Louisville. Fellow freshman Terrance Jones (17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.9 BPG) is equally important if not more. He dropped 27 on Notre Dame and has 10 double-doubles this year. The Wildcats look tough here.
The Florida Gators (23-6, 12-3) are the likely favorites in the SEC Tournament. They have wins over Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Xavier and Kansas State. As you can see they are no stranger to winning big Games. They are a balanced team with G Erving Walker (14.4 PPG, 3.3 APG) leading the team in scoring. He is 5-8, but don’t let that fool you. The junior dropped 18 on Xavier and 25 on South Carolina. They have won 15 of their last 18 and are the hot team going into this Conference Tournament.
Alabama (19-10, 11-4) is a team that has to play well in the this Tournament. They played well in conference, but their out of Conference resume is lacking. They can make up for that with a win or two here. With wins over Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee it is clear they have the talent needed to compete. Junior F JaMychal Green (15.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG) has really improved. Some of his best Games were late in the year. He hung 18 on Kentucky and 23 on Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt (21-8, 9-6) has looked great all year long. They won against Nebraska, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Saint Mary’s. Sophomore G John Jenkins (19.4 PPG) leads the team in scoring. He can really score from 3 point range. He hit 6 of 10 3 point shots against Kentucky. This team split Games with Kentucky, winning the first 81-77 then losing 68-66. They lost to Florida in 3OT and will face them again the week before this Tournament.
Here are the odds for a few of the contenders:
KENTUCKY +150
FLORIDA +175
VANDY 5/1
TENNESSEE 8/1
ALABAMA 8/1
SOUTH CAROLINA 10/1