The 2023 SEC basketball season has been one of the more interesting conferences in all of college basketball. There are six to seven good teams that could make nice little runs in not only the conference tournament, but the NCAA tournament as well. No clear cut favorites and a lot of good teams lead the way in this conference tournament. HHere are my 2023 SEC basketball tournament predictions.
The Betting Odds
Alabama +170
Tennessee +280
Kentucky +450
Texas A&M +500
Auburn +1200
Arkansas +1200
Missouri +2500
Vanderbilt +3500
Mississippi State +4500
Florida +10000
Georgia +50000
Ole Miss +50000
South Carolina +80000
LSU +100000
The Bracket
In or Out On Alabama/Kentucky?
The Alabama Crimson Tide bursted onto the scene this season. Alabama averages the 9th most points per game in the country (82.8) and they are the second best team in rebounds per game (44.3). The Crimson Tide are led by stud freshman forward Brandon Miller who is averaging 19.6 points per game to go along with 8 rebounds per game. Alabama has the talent to make a deep run when you look at their guard play of Mark Sears, Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Bradley. If Alabama wants to make a run in any tournament this season they need someone besides Bradon Miller to pick up a heavier workload.
The Kentucky Wildcats have been good as of late this year. Kentucky averages 75.1 points per game and they are led offensively by senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe. Tshiebwe averages 16.4 points per game to go along with 13.1 rebounds per game (1st in the country). Other key names for the Wildcats are Antonio Reeves (14.2 points per game), Jacob Toppin (12.3 points per game), and Cason Wallace (11.7 points per game). Those three names contribute a lot to how well Tshiebwe has been for not only Kentucky, but his play is one of the best in the country. Kentucky wants to get healthy here so I do not see them winning the SEC tournament title.
Faith In The Aggies?
The Texas A&M Aggies have one of the best backcourts in the SEC. The Aggies offense is led by guards Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford. Taylor IV averages 16.3 points per game on a 41/37/87 shooting split. Radford averages 13.3 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds per game as well. The Aggies defense is also good, they allow 65.6 points per game, which is the third fewest in the SEC. A&M is a talented team and they can make any team lives hard in the tournament. Look out for the Aggies to be a threat in the SEC tournament.
Sleeper Of The Tournament
Nobody is talking about how talented Arkansas is anymore. They have had a rough season due to injuries and such, but Arkansas is a sleeper to win this conference tournament. The Razorbacks are led by Ricky Council IV who averages 16.5 points per game for Arkansas. When healthy, Nick Smith Jr has also been very good for Arkansas as well. Smith Jr. in 12 games played this season averages 13.8 points per game to go along with a 40/34/78 shooting split. Eric Musselman and company aren’t thrilled with their season so far as they were a lot of people’s picks to make the Final Four. This Arkansas team is going to remind us all how good they can be in this tournament.
The Don’s Winner
This is going to be an unreal tournament. I think there are five teams that can win this tournament. However, I am going to go with an unpopular pick here and take Texas A&M +500. The Aggies guard play is one of the best in the SEC and they are going to be able to compete with anybody in the SEC. Watch out for the Aggies because they are coming.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
12 South Carolina over 13 Ole Miss
11 Georgia over 14 LSU
Second Round
9 Mississsippi State over 8 Florida
5 Tennessee over 12 South Carolina
10 Arkansas over 7 Auburn
6 Vanderbilt over 11 Georgia
Quarterfinals
9 Mississippi State over 1 Alabama
4 Missouri over 5 Tennessee
2 Texas A&M over 10 Arkansas
6 Vanderbilt over 3 Kentucky
Semifinals
9 Mississippi State over 4 Missouri
2 Texas A&M over 6 Vanderbilt
Finals
2 Texas A&M over 9 Mississippi State