Home Basketball
Three SEC teams on NCAA Tournament bubble entering SEC Tournament
( 0 Votes )
User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 
Basketball
Written by Thomas Goldkamp   
Monday, 08 March 2010 08:21 PM
Chandler Parsons - Florida Gators Basketball

The Florida Gators and the Mississippi State Bulldogs could meet in the second round of the SEC Tournament in a game that could decide which bubble team gets into the NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo)

With tournament season beginning on Thursday with the first round of the SEC Tournament, three SEC basketball teams find themselves squarely on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.

Those three teams are Florida (20-11, 9-7), Mississippi State (21-10, 9-7) and Ole Miss (21-9, 9-7). The Gators are the closest to making the NCAA Tournament field, while Ole Miss has a slight edge over Mississippi State heading into the SEC Tournament.

Florida would meet Mississippi State in the second round of the tournament if they can make it past Auburn in the first round of the tournament. The winner of that game would be in great shape to earn an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.

Here is a complete look at each team and their resume, along with what they must do to earn an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament:

SEC Bubble Watch - March 8, 2010
Florida Gators

If Season Ended Today Overall SEC RPI SOS
In 20-11 9-7 52 32
Good Wins: Florida State, Michigan State (neutral), Mississippi State, Tennessee
Bad Losses: South Alabama, @ Georgia
What they need: Florida would likely be in the field if the season ended today. Their non-conference wins are stronger than what similar bubble teams have put together and they have been competitive in just about every game this season. The Gators will likely need to get by Auburn in the first round of the SEC Tournament to be on the right side of the bubble come Selection Sunday. A win over Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament would allow Florida to feel very comfortable on Selection Sunday and three wins would cement an at-large bid for the Gators.
Mississippi State Bulldogs

If Season Ended Today Overall SEC RPI SOS
Out 21-10 9-7 69 105
Good Wins: Old Dominion
Bad Losses: @ Arkansas, @ Auburn, Rider, @ Western Kentucky
What they need: With only one RPI Top 50 win (Old Dominion), the Mississippi State Bulldogs have plenty of work to do in the SEC Tournament if they hope to earn an at-large bid. Two wins over Ole Miss could give Mississippi State an edge over the Rebels and the Bulldogs will get a chance to beat Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With a win over Florida in their first SEC Tournament game, the Bulldogs will place themselves on the bubble. Two wins should be enough to get Mississippi State in the field if they can beat Florida and Vanderbilt and make the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
Ole Miss Rebels

If Season Ended Today Overall SEC RPI SOS
In 21-9 9-7 57 74
Good Wins: Kansas State (neutral), UTEP (neutral)
Bad Losses: Arkansas
What they need: If the season ended today, Ole Miss would probably be one of the last teams in the field of 65. The Rebels enter the SEC Tournament on a four-game winning streak, which will help their chances. They get a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament and will probably take on Tennessee in their first game. With a win over Tennessee, Ole Miss should be near the front of the bubble. With any more wins after that, Ole Miss would certainly clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 05:36 PM
 
Discuss (0 posts)

You need to login or register to post comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts) 		 

Related Articles

Poll of the Day - Basketball

Please select a poll in the module admin panel.
SEC Sports Hub on Facebook

Who's Online

We have 340 guests and 2 members online