SEC Conference Tournament Preview

2008 South Eastern Conference Tournament
Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia from March 13^th-16^th
Posted on Monday, March 10^th by TD at Totals 4 You  Opening Round – Thursday, March 13^th
Game 1: Louisiana State vs. South Carolina at 1:00 PM EST
Game 2: Vanderbilt vs. Auburn at 3:15 PM EST
Game 3: Florida vs. Alabama at 7:30 PM EST
Game 4: Mississippi vs. Georgia at 9:45 PM EST
 Quarterfinal Round – Friday, March 14^th
Game 5: Tennessee vs. Game 1 Winner at 1:00 PM EST
Game 6: Arkansas vs. Game 2 Winner at 3:15 PM EST
Game 7: Mississippi State vs. Game 3 Winner at 7:30 PM EST
Game 8: Kentucky vs. Game 4 Winner at 9:45 PM EST
 Semifinal Round – Saturday, March 15^th
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner at 1:00 PM EST
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. game 8 Winner at 3:15 PM EST
 Championship Game – Sunday, March 16^th
Game 11: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winners at 1:00 PM EST #1 East) Tennessee: 28-3, 14-2 conf, 9-1 last 10, 12-3 road/neut
       RPI rank 1, 11-3 vs. RPI top 50, 80.1 points off, 69.4 points def
       Strength of schedule 1, First opponent: 3-0 vs. LSU/South Carolina
 #2 East) Kentucky: 18-11, 12-4 conf, 8-2 last 10, 4-7 road/neut
       RPI rank 49, 4-7 vs. RPI top 50, 66.3 points off, 65.7 points def
       Strength of schedule 12, First opponent: 3-0 vs. Mississippi/Georgia
 #3 East) Vanderbilt: 25-6, 10-6 conf, 8-2 last 10, 6-6 road/neut
       RPI rank 10, 5-4 vs. RPI top 50, 73.9 points off, 72.3 points def
       Strength of schedule 34, First opponent: 1-0 vs. Auburn
 #4 East) Florida: 21-10, 8-8 conf, 3-7 last 10, 6-6 road/neut
       RPI rank 65, 2-8 vs. RPI top 50, 76.1 points off, 75.5 points def
       Strength of schedule 85, First opponent: 1-0 vs. Alabama
 #5 East) South Carolina: 13-17, 5-11 conf, 3-7 last 10, 5-8 road/neut
       RPI rank 139, 2-10 vs. RPI top 50, 66.2 points off, 72.1 points def
       Strength of schedule 36, First opponent: 0-1 vs. Louisiana State
 #6 East) Georgia: 13-16, 4-12 conf, 2-8 last 10, 2-11 road/neut
       RPI rank 152, 1-10 vs. RPI top 50, 64.5 points off, 68.8 points def
       Strength of schedule 43, First opponent: 0-1 vs. Mississippi
 #1 West) Mississippi State: 21-9, 12-4 conf, 7-3 last 10, 9-6 road/neut
       RPI rank 38, 3-7 vs. RPI top 50, 72.4 points off, 66.4 points def
       Strength of schedule 51, First opponent: 3-0 vs. Florida/Alabama
 #2 West) Arkansas: 20-10, 9-7 conf, 5-5 last 10, 5-9 road/neut
       RPI rank 43, 4-5 vs. RPI top 50, 72.2 points off, 68.9 points def
       Strength of schedule 40, First opponent: 3-0 vs. Vanderbilt/Auburn
 #3 West) Mississippi: 21-9, 7-9 conf, 5-5 last 10, 7-7 road/neut
       RPI rank 42, 5-4 vs. RPI top 50, 73.8 points off, 75.1 points def
      Strength of schedule 60, First opponent 1-0 vs. Georgia
 #4 West) Louisiana State: 13-17, 6-10 conf, 5-5 last 10, 3-11 road/neut
       RPI rank 159, 1-9 vs. RPI top 50, 66.8 points off, 75.1 points def
       Strength of schedule 61, First opponent: 1-0 vs. South Carolina
 #5 West) Alabama: 16-15, 5-11 conf, 4-6 last 10, 3-10 road/neut
       RPI rank 117, 3-9 vs. RPI top 50, 72.4 points off, 74.2 points def
       Strength of schedule 54, First opponent: 0-1 vs. Florida
 #6 West) Auburn: 14-15, 4-12 conf, 2-8 last 10, 6-8 road/neut
       RPI rank 154, 2-9 vs. RPI top 50, 71.4 points off, 77.1 points def
       Strength of schedule 94, First opponent: 0-1 vs. VanderbiltThe Analysis: There’s just not a better place to hold a major basketball tournament than the 26,000 seat Georgia Dome and the South East Conference fans will be treated to some big time ball out of top seeds Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Kentucky who have combined for a perfect 12-0 mark against their possible Friday opponents. With 12 wins in their last 13 contests plus the top RPI and strength of schedule rankings in the nation, the favorites here are certainly the Volunteers who beat the Razorbacks 93-71 on February 13^th, beat the Bulldogs 76-71 on February 2^nd, and spilt with the pesky Wildcats, revenging a 66-72 loss at Kentucky on January 22^nd with a home 63-60 win on March 2^nd.
  However, what fun would that be? We’re putting our money on Vanderbilt. The Commodores were just a couple of buckets from winning their last 10 consecutive games, hold the #10 RPI ranking in the country, and have held their own at 3-3 against the bye teams this season including a 72-69 home win over Tennessee on February 26^th plus a thrilling 86-85 home overtime victory over Mississippi State on March 5^th. Take Vanderbilt to bag the 2008 South East Conference Tournament Championship and force the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee to make them a high 3-seed in The Big Dance next week. Enjoy the show and we’ll see you next week – TD.NOTE: A new article will be posted each Wednesday throughout the season breaking down a major match up for the upcoming weekend. For now, enjoy the above and plan on checking out our weekly analysis all season long.                                                                                T. D.Click here for a free pick today.