Joe Lunardi hints SEC Championship could have major implications on NCAA Tournament bracket

Selection Sunday is just a couple of days away, and the results of the remaining conference tournament games will undoubtedly have major impacts on the final seeding in the NCAA Tournament. ESPN Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi updated his tournament notes on Thursday night, and noted that the SEC Tournament championship could have major impacts on the top line.

As of now, Lunardi lists Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor as his four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. But Baylor lost on Thursday in the Big 12 Tournament to Oklahoma, leaving the door open for someone to sneak in and steal that final spot in the top line. To Lunardi, the winner of the SEC championship is in a good position to pass by Baylor. Auburn is listed as Lunardi’s fifth overall seed, with Kentucky at sixth. Tennessee is also at No. 11, while Arkansas is No. 16.

“The bigger story may be the impact on Baylor; the Bears remain a No. 1 seed, but are in position to be passed by the eventual SEC champion and perhaps lose the desired South Region,” Lunardi said.

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— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 11, 2022

The road to the SEC championship begins on Friday for Lunardi’s possible one seeds

Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas are the top four seeds in this week’s SEC Tournament. The top seeded Tigers finished the regular season with a 27-4 overall record, including a 15-3 mark against SEC opponents. Auburn faces off against eighth seeded Texas A&M in the quarterfinals on Friday. Kentucky, who finished 25-6 overall and 14-4 in the SEC, faces off against Vanderbilt on Friday night.

Tennessee finished the regular season at 23-7 overall and 14-4 in the SEC, and will face Mississippi State on Friday. Arkansas finished the regular season 24-7 and 13-5 against SEC opponents, and the Razorbacks take on LSU early Friday afternoon.

Ultimately, the winner of the SEC Championship will likely pick up another couple of impressive victories on its resume, which would add to a strong case to pass Baylor on the top line, as Lunardi projects. Auburn has been in the conversation for a top seed all season, while Kentucky has been in the conversation at times as well. Tennessee or Arkansas are probably more longshots for a one seed compared to Auburn and Kentucky, but the Vols and Razorbacks could certainly make a case with a run to Sunday’s SEC title game.