2023 SEC Basketball Tournament: Updated projected seeds, schedule, magic numbers

The SEC has been a competitive league all season long but, with just two weeks left, the race is coming down to the wire. While a pair of teams have separated themselves from the pack, there’s plenty to still be determined seed-wise before these 14 teams arrive in Nashville.

Based on the analytics from PlayoffStatus.com, we should be in for a close finish with several teams vying for byes in the SEC Tournament.

Current SEC Standings

1. Alabama Crimson Tide – 23-4 (13-1)
2. Texas A&M Aggies – 20-7 (12-2)
3. Kentucky Wildcats – 20-7 (9-5)
4. Tennessee Volunteers – 18-9 (9-5)
5. Vanderbilt Commodores – 15-12 (8-6)
6. Auburn Tigers – 18-9 (8-6)
7. Arkansas Razorbacks – 18-9 (7-7)
8. Florida Gators – 14-13 (7-7)
9. Missouri Tigers – 19-8 (7-7)
10. Georgia Bulldogs – 16-11 (6-8)
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs – 18-9 (6-8)
12. South Carolina Gamecocks – 10-17 (3-11)
13. Ole Miss Rebels – 10-17 (2-12)
14. LSU Tigers – 12-15 (1-13)

Alabama has been the most dominant team in the SEC this season. They’ve won three conference games by 40 or more points with their only loss being more than respectable at Tennessee. However, Texas A&M has surprised many this season at 12-2. They have the only real shot at catching the Tide with four games to go. From there, Kentucky and Tennessee are next but have less than a 1% chance of getting the No. 1 seed.

With one game separating Alabama and Texas A&M, all four of their final games matter. The Tide need just one game to at least clinch the No. 2 seed while A&M needs two. Again, the Wildcats and Volunteers are close but just not close enough in this race as neither team controls their own destiny for the top spot. However, they’ll also be fighting themselves as well as Vanderbilt, Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida for No. 3 through No. 8

As for the back of the pack, the bottom three teams are practically set. The order is to be determined but, in some order, they will consist of South Carolina, Ole Miss, and LSU. Above them are Georgia and Mississippi State fighting to not be the fourth team starting its week on Wednesday. That pair will be doing anything they can do to join the next pack of Missouri, Florida, and Arkansas in order to shorten their run to the title.

SEC Schedule (Tuesday, February 21st)

• No. 11 Tennessee @ No. 25 Texas A&M – 7 p.m. EST on ESPN
• Mississippi State @ Missouri – 7 p.m. EST on SECN
• Georgia @ Arkansas – 9 p.m. EST on SECN

After dropping three of their last four, the Volunteers have yet another tough road matchup in College Station. Even so, their shot at a double-bye would be much improved if they could find a way to win. Still, with A&M still fighting for the No. 1 seed, this will mean just as much to them.

As for Mississippi State and Georgia, they have prime opportunities to catch teams ahead of them tonight in head-to-heads with Missouri and Arkansas respectively. Their only problem is that both games come on the road. Both teams will have to dig deep in order to gain a game in the standings while on their opponent’s home floor.

Tournament Schedule

First Round: Wed., March 8
Game 1: No. 12 seed vs. No. 13 seed | 7 p.m. on SECN
Game 2: No. 11 seed vs. Game 14 | 9 p.m. on SECN

Second Round: Thurs., March 9
Game 3: No. 9 seed vs. No. 8 seed | 1 p.m. on SECN
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. No. 5 seed | 3 p.m. on SECN
Game 5: No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed | 7 p.m. on SECN
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 6 seed | 9 p.m. on SECN

Quarterfinals: Fri., March 10
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 seed | 1 p.m. on ESPN
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. 4 seed | 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 2 seed | 7 p.m. on SECN
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 3 seed | 9 p.m. on SECN

Semifinals: Sat., March 11
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner | 1 p.m. on ESPN
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 3 p.m. on ESPN

Championship: Sun., March 12
Championship: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 1 p.m. on ESPN

(All Times Eastern)