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

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•02/22/23•

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The regular season race in the SEC is coming to a close over the next couple of weeks. It’s been a competitive league all season long, and now teams are fighting for the best possible seed in the SEC Basketball Tournament.

With help from playoffstatus.com, here is a look at the current SEC standings, seeding for the SEC Tournament, and magic numbers going forward.

Current SEC Standings

Here is a look at the current SEC standings:

  1. Alabama, 23-4 (13-1)
  2. Texas A&M, 21-7 (13-2)
  3. Kentucky, 20-7 (9-5)
  4. Tennessee, 20-8 (9-6)
  5. Auburn, 18-9 (8-6)
  6. Vanderbilt, 15-12 (8-6)
  7. Missouri, 20-8 (8-7)
  8. Arkansas, 19-9 (8-7)
  9. Florida, 14-13 (7-7)
  10. Mississippi State, 18-10 (6-9)
  11. Georgia, 16-12 (6-9)
  12. South Carolina, 10-17 (3-11)
  13. Ole Miss, 10-17 (2-12)
  14. LSU, 12-15 (1-13)

Only two schools have a shot at finishing first in the SEC at this point, Alabama and Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide, who have only lost one conference game this season, are the team most likely to finish first at this point. However, with a little bit of help, Texas A&M is only a game back and could potentially steal that spot. Not too far behind are Kentucky and Tennessee, though neither has a shot at first place.

Right now, Alabama’s magic number to finish first is four. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has a magic number of three to finish first and one to finish second. For their part, the Crimson Tide can’t finish worse than second at this point.

On the bottom end of the SEC, there are several teams having very difficult seasons. LSU only has one conference win. Ole Miss and South Carolina aren’t much better with two and three conference wins, respectively. Of those three, the Gamecocks can earn the highest seed at 10th if everything goes right. LSU’s best possible finish is 12th.

Wednesday’s SEC Games

There are three SEC games on Wednesday night:

  • Vanderbilt at LSU, 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Kentucky at Florida, 7:00 p.m. EST
  • No. 2 Alabama at South Carolina, 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Ole Miss at Auburn, 9:00 p.m. EST

Schedule and times for conference tournament

Here is a look at the schedule and times (all of which are Eastern Standard Time) for the SEC Basketball Tournament:

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