Even though it was a much more exciting SEC Tournament than we’ve had in recent years, the results were still the same as they’ve been the past four years, with John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats cutting down the nets.

The Wildcats won their fourth-straight conference tourney title, but it didn’t come easy, as the Tennessee Volunteers gave them all they could handle in St. Louis on Sunday afternoon.

Early on, the Wildcats took a big lead, making it look like we were in for a blowout, but then the Vols (and F Admiral Schofield) came roaring back. The second half was a back-and-forth affair before the Wildcats gained the late edge and sealed the 77-72 win with some clutch late free throws.

Kentucky PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the freshman sensation who will likely be a first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, had perhaps his best performance of the year, scoring 29 points and adding seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Kevin Knox had 18 points and seven boards, while Saturday’s star — F Wenyen Gabriel — chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.

For Tennessee, Schofield had 22 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to lead the Vols to a victory.

Both teams will be included in the NCAA Tournament field, with Tennessee likely being a No. 3 seed and Kentucky possibly rising as high as a No. 4 seed.

March Madness should be a lot of fun with these two SEC teams, along with up to six others, in the field of 68.