Conference Tournament Madness

March Madness. This term brings up different feelings for different fans. For Ole Miss fans, it may bring up anger ( They haven't been to the big dance since 2001). For Mississippi State fans, the most normal feeling is probably anxiety (Being on the bubble is the norm for MSU recently). And for most Southern Miss fans? Well, they probably don't know how to feel ( 2 NCAA appearances, last appearance- 1991). But let's talk about something that can totally change your season up to this point.

Conference Tournaments. It doesn't matter how infuriating your team's season was up to this point. In conference tournaments, it's simple. Win and your in. 

So it's time to have some fun. Here are how things will unfold in the SEC conference tournament. (Or, at least, how I think it will).

 Game by game-


Game 1 (LSU vs. Arkansas)- This game will probably be a good match up. LSU has a frontcourt that may pose a problem for Arkansas. Ultimately though, I think Arkansas' defense will be too much for LSU.

Game 2 (Alabama vs. South Carolina)- This will not even be a good game to watch. Alabama's suffocating defense will confound an already confused USC offense. 12 points may be too little to pick Bama to win by.

Game 3 (Ole Miss vs. Auburn)- This game wouldn't even be close. Except that Auburn has been on a great shooting streak recently. UM fans better hope Frankie Sullivan doesn't drop 30+, or this could be a long night for Ole Miss.

Game 4 (Mississippi State vs. Georgia)- A blowout. MSU will get revenge against the team that started their 5- game free fall. This won't be a good game. MSU will jump on Georgia and then go for UGA's jugular.

Second Round


Game 5 (Arkansas vs. Kentucky)- This game will feature two great defenses. Unfortunately for Arkansas, this game only boasts one great offense.

Game 6 (Alabama vs. Florida)-  If Florida doesn't hit their 3 pointers, Alabama could win this easily. The only problem with that is that UF doesn't often get cold from behind the arc. And if the Gator's are hitting their 3's, Bama will have to make 'em too. That won't happen. The Tide is on pace to become the worst 3-point shooting team in SEC history.

Game 7- (Ole Miss vs. Tennessee)- UT is playing really good amazing. Their the second hottest team in the SEC right now. Ole Miss will play pretty good, but ultimately I think UT's 3-point shooting will be the last nail in the coffin for Ole Miss.

Game 8 (Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt)- If Vandy doesn't catch fire, Mississippi State will win this. Think about it. Vandy hasn't done anything spectacular. They've won the games they were supposed to. No major upsets. No spectacular wins. Plus, the Bulldogs are playing as good as anyone in the country right now.

Semi-Finals


Game 9 (Kentucky vs. Florida)-  UF will play good for this game with a trip to the SEC championship game on the line. Florida is a GREAT home team. However, this game is being played on a neutral court. And in my opinion, Florida is just a GOOD team on a neutral/ away court. And UK is a GREAT team everywhere.

Game 10 (Tennessee vs. Mississippi State)- This game will be a good match up. MSU has the advantage in the front court as well as the back court. So honestly, I expect MSU to outplay UT. Another reason to pick the bulldogs: MSU has done abnormally well in the SEC tournament under Rick Stansbury. But I do think that UT will have done enough to get a bid into the NCAA tournament.

Championship Round


Championship Game (Game 11- Kentucky vs. MSU)- Frankly, this game will be the same old song for State. The Dogs will come out playing great. Take a (fairly) large lead into the locker room. Start crying about some questionable calls from the officials with about 7:30 left in the game. Make a major mistake. Kentucky will take the lead. State will have to foul and hope that Kentucky will miss their free throws. Yep.

So, here's what I think this tournament will do for teams trying to make the NCAA tournament:

Kentucky #1 seed overall (rightly so)
Florida #4 seed
Vanderbilt #6 seed
Mississippi State #7 seed
Alabama #9 seed
Tennessee #11 seed,

So that's what I think. If you'll post who you think will win in the comments section below, we'll have contest. Winner gets a shout out on the blog's next post after the tournament.

Any questions/comments/thoughts? Thanks for reading!