State of the SEC Race (Wed 27 Feb)

[GothamGator]

As you can see below, Florida leads Alabama by one game and Kentucky by one-and-a-half. I've added the last 4 games for each team.

1. Florida 12-3 - at Tenn(L), Alabama, Vandy, at Kentucky
2. Alabama 11-4 - Auburn (W), at Florida, at Ole Miss, Georgia
3. Kentucky 10-4 - Miss St., at Arkansas, at Georgia, Florida
4. Ole Miss 9-5 - Texas A&M, at MSU, Alabama, at LSU

Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas are all technically in the race as well, but they best they can do is share the title, and that would require too many crazy upsets.

It's safe to assume that Kentucky will wax Miss State tonight. Once that happens, Florida will have a one-game lead, with games against each of the other two contenders.

If the Gators beat Alabama on Saturday, they can clinch at least a share of the title if Kentucky loses against Arkansas later that day or, if Kentucky wins by beating Vanderbilt in the O'Dome the following Wednesday. If the Gators beat Alabama and Kentucky loses, the Gators will be playing for sole possession of the SEC Championship against Vandy, with a chance to cut down the nets at home.

Both Alabama and Kentucky face a similar challenge. They are each 1-game back of Florida (or will be after tonight), and have one game left against the Gators and a tough game on the road. Each needs to beat Florida to pull even with the Gators, and then either win their other games, or hope Florida drops one.

Ole Miss has an outside chance to share the title. They have the easiest schedule and a chance to pin a loss on Alabama at home. If Ole Miss can run the table, Florida loses to Alabama and Kentucky, and Kentucky loses on the road at Arkansas, there will be a four-way tie at 13-5.

[themistocles]

Good Summary Goth.

The Gators, so far, are undefeated at home, and 2 of the 3 remaining games are at home.

Kentucky appears to be recovering from the loss of Noel and are being competitive, so, I wouldn't mark the game in Lexington up as a victory.

Vanderbilt has not played very well this year, and the Gators usually beat the Commodore in the O'Dome, but, you never know.

Alabama might be able to upset the Gators.

The question is whether Frazier is up to snuff by Saturday, and Yeguete can play a reasonable number of minutes (say 8-10), either or both of which reduce Bama's chances

[tommyuf21]

Alabama will be a good bounce back game for us. They have responded well to set backs and from what I have seen of Bama, we'll be in good shape at home.

Vandy is terrible. There is no reason that we shouldn't be able to beat them by 20+.

If we're back to full strength for UK, I like our chances. We may actually get the game that a lot here want to see, which is a close, hard fought road win.

[GothamGator]

One thing I would like to avoid is a trip into Rupp with the SEC Championship on the line for UK. That means we need to win our next two and hope Kentucky drops one, with the only likely game being at Arkansas on Saturday at 4pm.

[UFish]

Like I said, I don't see Alabama winning here nor do I see Kentucky winning at Arkansas.

And if it comes to the SEC Championship in Rupp, I still like our chances with an eight man rotation.

[WESGATORS]

Originally Posted by GothamGator

One thing I would like to avoid is a trip into Rupp with the SEC Championship on the line for UK. That means we need to win our next two and hope Kentucky drops one, with the only likely game being at Arkansas on Saturday at 4pm.

I'll be rooting for Kentucky to lose, but if they don't, that would just make a win up there that much more fun.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[MadduxFanII]

Lord, I really don't want us to lose the SEC this year.

[ufgator865]

Our limping to the finish line in the SEC regular season feels just like us trying to close out a close win. I hope I am wrong.

[REM08]

I honestly don't think Florida has trouble at Rupp this year. I swear this isn't self protective, self handicapping, or any other type of convenient thinking for me either. If Florida just all out fails to show up or shoots 10% from 3, then you very well may lose. But, especially if you guys are healthy again, I don't see the only differences between the two teams being the location of the game.

I think Kentucky wins tonight against MSU. Probably wins against UGA, although certainly not a given. I think they lose at Arkansas and lose on senior day.

[oneatatime]

If we beat Bama , it will likely be over by the time we go to Lexington.

I don't expect Kentucky's young team to win at Arky and they might not beat Georgia on the road either

I also don't expect Bama to win at Ole Miss.

[ReggieNelson]

alabama is quite possibly the worst offensive team in college basketball. if we lose to them, i will jump off a cliff

[gatorbogey]

i want this SEC regular season title! go gators, go get it!

[GothamGator]

I think things will work out for us to cut down the nets against Vandy, but there is a lot of basketball between now and then.

[GatorPlanet]

Cutting down the nets on Senior Day would be a special thing for Boynton, Rosario, and Murphy.

[WESGATORS]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

Cutting down the nets on Senior Day would be a special thing for Boynton, Rosario, and Murphy.

Especially if it happens on Kentucky's Senior Day. I wonder if they'd let us cut down their nets.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[UFnuts]

Two years ago we clinched the SEC Regular Season Title at home vs Bama and we didn't cut down the nets. Anyone know why? Do we only cut down the nets for SEC Tournament, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Finals?

[WESGATORS]

It wasn't an outright title. Pretty sure Billy commented on this at the time, but they didn't win the title outright until the win against Vanderbilt.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[co_gator89]

Very important win today. Vandy game next Wednesday will be for at least a share of the SEC title. If Kentucky loses today then we can win it all Wednesday. Go Hogs!

[GatorJeff]

Originally Posted by UFnuts

Two years ago we clinched the SEC Regular Season Title at home vs Bama and we didn't cut down the nets. Anyone know why? Do we only cut down the nets for SEC Tournament, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Finals?

Donovan said there was still work to do to win outright. If you clinch an outright title at home, you cut them down. We've cut them down for all three Sec tourney titles, all four regional titles to get us to the Final Four, and both national championships.

[UFnuts]

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

It wasn't an outright title. Pretty sure Billy commented on this at the time, but they didn't win the title outright until the win against Vanderbilt.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

Pretty sure we cut down the nets in 2000 when we beat South Carolina at home, even though it was only for a share of the title which we ultimately split with three other teams (UK, UT, & LSU) with a 12-4 record due to a finale loss at Rupp Arena. It was K Weaks Senior Night. I was a freshman in the Rowdy Reptile Section that night. Good times.