Heading into the SEC Tournament this week, no coach is facing more pressure than Georgia’s Mark Fox.

There are some SEC teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble, but Georgia is likely out of the picture altogether. Still, a deep run in the conference tourney may be what it takes for Fox to save his job.

However, Fox told OnlineAthens.com that he hasn’t been told he has to win the tourney to avoid getting fired:

“No, I have not been told that we have to win a certain number of games or advance to the tournament,” Fox said. “I’ve had no communication like that. I really would like this tournament, really like I’ve tried to have for the last nine years be about our team and these kids, and find them some success and not have it be about the coach. My hope is that we’ll be able to focus on that because it’s their only time to play. For some of them, it’s their last tournament as seniors. We’re going to do the best we can to try to keep them here in the tournament as long as we can and try to get as many wins for Georgia as we can. Hopefully, that will be the focus. But, no, I have not had any communication to your question.”

Fox has one ally in his corner, though, and it’s ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. Bilas said he thinks it would be a mistake for Georgia to fire Fox:

“I’ll tell you if they’re thinking about it, I’d think twice because I think Mark Fox is an outstanding basketball coach,” Bilas said. “If I were in charge, this wouldn’t be a discussion, there wouldn’t be a change. Nobody in the SEC has been a consistent NCAA (tournament) program except for Kentucky. Nobody’s done it. It’s just Kentucky.”

The Dawgs play Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday and would face Mizzou if they win. It might take three or more victories for Fox to keep his job, but for now, the Georgia administration is keeping things close to the vest.