Joe Lunardi gives SEC heavy bubble presence in latest bracketology update
Joe Lunardi has nine SEC teams making the NCAA Tournament in his latest bracketology update. Nearly half of those teams, though, are on bubble watch.
Lunardi has SEC squads occupying all spots in the Last Four Byes section of the bubble. As of right now, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Florida are dancing without having to play in a First Four contest to make the Round of 64.
In Chris Beard’s first season, Ole Miss entered conference play an unblemished 13-0. The Rebels have gone 5-4 in SEC games, bringing the overall record to 18-4. The Rebels are on the road to face No. 15 South Carolina on Tuesday (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
Texas A&M has had a bit of an up-and-down season. Buzz Williams’ squad boosted its resume with a Saturday win over Florida, improving to 13-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The Aggies are on the road Wednesday to face Mizzou, which has yet to win an SEC game this season.
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Mississippi State is on track to make the Big Dance despite a rough 3-6 start in SEC play. MSU is 14-8 overall, searching for its first road victory. In the battle of the Bulldogs, Mississippi State hosts Georgia on Wednesday night.
Florida had been on the wrong side of the bubble until recently. Todd Golden’s Gators got their first Quad 1 win by knocking off a top-10 Kentucky team at Lexington in overtime. UF could not extend the winning streak, though, falling to 5-4 in conference competition and 15-7 overall with the loss to the Aggies.
Top seeds
Here’s how SEC teams factor into the top 16 spots:
- No. 2-seed Tennessee (No. 6 overall)
- No. 3-seed Alabama (No. 10 overall)
- No. 4-seed Auburn (No. 14 overall)
Lunardi writes that North Carolina, Arizona and Tennessee are “nearly indistinguishable” to claim the last No. 1 seed (No. 4) overall. Kentucky, which had been a top seed in previous projections, is in the “next” group following Dayton (No. 16 overall).
Alabama and Auburn meet Wednesday on The Plains (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) for the latest Iron Bowl of Basketball. The midweek slate also includes Kentucky at Vanderbilt and LSU at Tennessee.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) February 5, 2024