Gator Country

**GothamGator** · 03-10-2013, 09:14 AM

Here are some observations on how it lays out.

The tournament really gets going on Friday with the quarterfinals. The most interesting game will be the 10pm matchup between #3 Ole Miss and #6 Missouri, with the winner playing the winner of #2 Kentucky and either Vandy or Arkansas.

The other interesting matchup is at 3:30 between #4 Alabama vs. (probably) #5 Tennessee - two teams desperate for a win to get off the bubble. The winner of that game plays the winner of #1 Florida vs. #8 Georgia or #9 LSU.

So, the semifinals shape up to be (probably) Florida against either Alabama and Tennessee at 1pm, followed by Kentucky against either Ole Miss or Missouri.

Our Friday game will be on ESPNU, and all the Saturday and Sunday games will be on ABC.

oneatatime · 03-10-2013, 09:19 AM

Missouri's loss to Tennessee really stung.

They have to play Thursday at 10, Friday at 10 against Ole Miss who has a bye, then on even shorter rest would come back for the Saturday game at 3:30.

Glad we have those 1 pm starts guaranteed

themistocles · 03-10-2013, 10:18 AM

Yeah Goth - As usual, interesting tournament matchups.

And yes, I was really rooting for Missou versus Tenn. I mean, think of having to play 4 games in 4 days or 5 games in 5 days if a team manages to make it to the championship.

What is perhaps most interesting about the SEC tournament is comparing this year's and last year's Bye situation. Last year, playing 16 games, 3 teams tied for 2nd at 6 losses (Florida, Vandy & Tenn - with Tenn being #2, Vandy #3 and UF #4). This year, playing 18 games, 3 teams tied for 2nd with 6 losses (Kentucky, Ole Miss, Alabama) - with Ole Miss being #2, Ky #3 and Bama #4. Among the 6 with byes, 2 repeated: Kentucky & Florida.

Also, the two former Big 12, AAU additions, one of which, Missou, has something of a reputation as a Basketball School, both end up in the Play-in rounds, with Missou finishing tied for 5/6th, and Tex A&M with a 2-day play-in at #11. Tex A&M does appear to be the class of the 2-day play-in group, although Miss St ending up tied for 12/13 with South Carolina, is really amazing given the losses they've suffered this year from a team that started very weak.

co_gator89 · 03-10-2013, 12:48 PM

Good breakdowns all. Looking forward to this. Last chance to gain some steam before the real tourney. Always like to see us do well in this one.

TampaGatorFan · 03-10-2013, 04:49 PM

Would love to get another shot at Kentucky. I think we win that matchup fairly comfortably on a neutral court.

co_gator89 · 03-10-2013, 05:01 PM

I would personally prefer a two game revenge tour with Tennessee in the semis and Kentucky or Mizzou in the title game, but I think Bama will beat UT.

GatorPlanet · 03-10-2013, 05:51 PM

I don't usually put too much emphasis on the SEC tournament for the Gators. Exceptions have been like a few years ago with Calathes & Co., where we really really needed a win or two to get to the NCAA tournament (and then lost).

This year, unlike the rest of the SEC, the Gators don't need anything at the SEC in order to get to The Dance. But I REALLY want us to win the SEC tournament this time. We need to prove to ourselves that we're back after some lackluster performances of late. Plus, we would solidify our #3 seeding and give us a good shot at a #2 seeding if we roll through this tournament.

Elsewhere, Bama vs. UT is huge for both teams. The loser is going to the NIT. The winner puts themselves in the conversation. Ole Miss vs. Mizzou is similar.

I'm over the UK collapse yesterday. Get it back, Gators!!!

gogators73 · 03-10-2013, 06:06 PM

I'm not afraid of anybody in the SECT.

Either we go in and beat them like we think we can on a neutral court (although UK on Sunday would obviously be more road game-ish) or we lose on a neutral court and realize we all were making road excuses for this team and we shouldn't have high expectations come NCAAT time.

BengermanV · 03-10-2013, 06:28 PM

The SEC tournament will be great prep for the NCAA tournament. It's the perfect time to get back in a groove after struggling for about a month now. My predictions:

Game One: South Carolina over MSU
Game Two: Texas A&M over AU

Game Three: Georgia over LSU
Game Four: Tennessee over USC
Game Five: Arkansas over Vandy
Game Six: Missouri over TAM

Game Seven: Florida over Georgia (73-60)
Game Eight: Alabama over Tennessee
Game Nine: Kentucky over Arkansas
Game Ten: Missouri over Ole Miss

Game Eleven: Florida over Alabama (69-53)
Game Twelve: Missouri over UK

SEC Championship: Florida over Missouri (71-68)

I think the only hurdle for UF comes on Sunday. Alabama played us well the first time, but I still like our matchup with them. Georgia is sneaky this year, but we match up even better against them. Missouri is the second best team in the league IMO, and matches up pretty well with UK. That game will be a dog fight. Then it will just be a question of whether or not Missouri has any fight left in them by the time they get to us.

DoctorGator · 03-10-2013, 06:41 PM

I just want us to win a close, tough game before the dance. Just one. Mizzou or UK on Sunday would be just fine.

Brewski · 03-10-2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorGator

I just want us to win a close, tough game before the dance. Just one. Mizzou or UK on Sunday would be just fine.

I want to beat everyone by 20 from here on out.

gatorbogey · 03-10-2013, 07:34 PM

good chance to get back in the saddle.

gain some confidence playing on a neutral court. short turnaround game prep. get MF2 and WY into the flow more and into a groove. get the whole team back into sync on both ends of the court. confidence in getting some wins. perhaps a close one.

gtr2x · 03-10-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewski

I want to beat everyone by 20 from here on out.

same here.

ReggieNelson · 03-10-2013, 09:14 PM

winning the sec regular season and postseason would be a major accomplishment. i hope our guys are focused on winning it.

ArtVandelay · 03-10-2013, 09:22 PM

Even thought it stinks, I think losing to Kentucky made the draw even more favorable for us...

Brewski · 03-10-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

Even thought it stinks, I think losing to Kentucky made the draw even more favorable for us...

Yeah, funny how that worked out, but you are absolutely right.

Noahtogo24 · 03-10-2013, 11:17 PM

No excuses to at least making the semi finals..... I'm hoping Florida gets revenege on the Vols and Kentucky.

gatorr4life · 03-10-2013, 11:19 PM

I just don't know what to expect from this team. Our conference is so down, that it makes me feel like we're not as good as our record shows. On the other hand, bad conference or not, our defense was pretty sick this year. I read some crazy stats, like we held x amount of teams to less than 50 points....or some absurd amount. And less than 40 a few times, too. If we play to the best of our ability, we will win the SEC tourney. Now the NCAA, that's a whole different story. All depends on your draw, really. And even then, you just never know. There's always so many hungry, Cinderella type teams out there. Honestly, I know it's a crapshoot.....and nothing is ever a given, but we should at least get to the sweet sixteen, maybe elite eight. I'm hoping for a final four appearance.

GatorAvatar · 03-11-2013, 04:11 AM

I don't want to play Tennessee

benheb · 03-11-2013, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaGatorFan

Would love to get another shot at Kentucky. I think we win that matchup fairly comfortably on a neutral court.

I think we win a rematch at corRupt.