OK, after listening to some of the coaches speak and checking out some practices, I’m ready to make my pick for the SEC Tournament.
And it’s not Kentucky.
I’m not taking the time-honored tradition of picking someone other than the favorite to stir things up. There are reasons why Kentucky will be the pick of most of the members of the media. The Wildcats will have the most fans, most talent and most tradition.
But they also will have the least motivation. When John Calipari says that winning the tourney isn’t important, that it’s only about getting a No. 1 seed, it makes me wonder if that sentiment won’t leak over to the players.
We’ll see, but here are my picks, game by game:
Game 1: Alabama over South Carolina. Tide seems to finally be getting what Anthony Grant has been preaching and JaMychal Green is back.
Game 2: Tennessee over LSU. This will be a seal-clubbing despite better play by Tigers late in the season. “There’s only one team in the league that’s not very good,” said Trent Johnson, “and you happen to be talking to him.”
Game 3: Florida over Auburn. Knock on wood Gator fans.
Game 4: Georgia over Arkansas. But watch out for Rotnei Clarke.
QUARTERFINALS
Game 5: Kentucky over Alabama. Big Blue fans hit the sauce early.
Game 6: Tennessee over Ole Miss. Say hello to my little friend — the NIT.
Game 7: Mississippi State over Florida. Vernon Macklin won’t dominate Jarvis Varnado again.
Game 8: Vanderbilt over Georgia. Vandy has too much talent to be one and done.
SEMIFINALS
Game 9: Tennessee over Kentucky. The Vols’ win at Mississippi State was no fluke.
Game 10: Vanderbilt over Mississippi State: An all-Tennessee final.
FINAL
Game 11: Tennessee over Vandy. Bruce Pearl finally gets tourney monkey off his back.
I’m with you up to the finals where Bruce Pearl gets the L, monkey in tow. Here’s why: 1.) Vandy beat Tennessee twice in the regular season. 2.) Vandy is as motivated and physical as I can recall; the SC game not withstanding. In fact, it will just motivate them. 3.) Hey, they are indeed playing in musical city. 4.) The odds are Vandy’s due one too. I believe it’s going to be their year.
Wrong Again..Just like Eddie Munster falls flat on his kisser for 3rd straight year..Uk will handle The Felons from Knoxville and the Cheap Used Car Salesman in a ugly sport coat..
UK is back in a big way..
Kentucky will win, and it will not even be close.
So far so good on the Alabama pick…quite the soothsaying moment after they trailed badly in this game.
I hope you’re right about UK. Coach Cal reminds me of Mike Dumbose at UA when he blew off winning the SEC Football Championship in ’99. SEC Championships aren’t “Nothing.” It’s disrespectful to the league, the school, and the players.
4 for 4…I am beginning to believe!