Alabama has received plenty of attention in recent weeks as it climbed to the top of the men’s basketball conversation not only in the SEC, but across the country and briefly flirted with a No. 1 seed.

Now Arkansas is gaining steam in the national perspective thanks to ESPN Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi listing the Razorbacks among his top 16 seeds, as he noted their “rapid ascent” to being named a No. 4 seed, and No. 13 team in his latest selection. Alabama sits as a No. 2 seed.

The SEC is projected by Lunardi to have six teams make the NCAA Tournament, which is fourth among Power 5 leagues behind the Big Ten (9), Big 12 (7) and ACC (7).

Arkansas, which is ranked No. 20, had two big runs in the second half to take a 21-point lead with six minutes left and held on for an 83-75 over LSU on Saturday at Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks have won nine straight SEC games, and now sit at 19-5 (11-4 in the SEC) as they took control of second place in the league with two regular-season games remaining on the schedule.

Alabama, meanwhile, which is ranked No. 6, beat Mississippi State, 64-59, Saturday night to clinch the SEC regular season championship. It is the program’s first conference title in 19 years dating back to the 2001-02 season.

Guard Jahvon Quinerly led the Crimson Tide with a game-high 19 points off the bench, while guard Jaden Shackelford added 15 points and six rebounds. Forward Herbert Jones pulled down a season-best 14 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.

Alabama improved to 19-6 overall and 14-2 in SEC play with the win. The 14 wins in league play is tied for the fifth-most in program history.