2014 SEC Tournament Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2014 SEC Tournament Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: While the Southeastern Conference is the cream of the crop in the college football world, the SEC has been one of the weakest power conferences in college basketball this season. Granted, the No. 1 team in the country does call the conference home, but only two teams are locks to make the NCAA tournament as the conference tournament is set to begin. As a result, the list of teams that has a realistic shot at winning the SEC tournament is short with the rest of the conference looking up at the top-ranked Florida Gators. On that note, here is a closer look at the teams with the best chance of winning the SEC tournament.

The Favorite

They finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the polls, and more importantly, the Florida Gators went a perfect 18-0 in SEC play. Florida’s defense is among the best in the country and easily the best in the SEC, but the Gators are also a balanced team. Scottie Wilbekin gives them experience at the point guard spot, Patric Young is a big body inside, and Casey Prather is just one of several players that can shoulder the offensive load at times. There is a reason Florida has reeled of 23 straight wins and ran over the rest of the SEC, and the Gators are the clear favorite to claim the SEC tournament crown.

The Contenders

Despite an ugly finish to the regular season, the Kentucky Wildcats were still the second-best team in the SEC all year. With Julius Randle down low and the Harrison twins and James Young in the backcourt, scoring points isn’t an issue for Kentucky. Chemistry and defensive intensity on the other hand have both eluded the young Wildcats most of the year. Kentucky has enough individual talent to handle most of the teams in a weak SEC, but the Wildcats have been blasted by the Florida Gators twice and will likely meet a similar fate in the conference tournament if they make it that far.

Although an ugly loss to Alabama in the regular season finale snapped a six-game winning the streak, the Arkansas Razorbacks are dangerous in the SEC tournament because of their dynamic offense. They rank in the top 20 nationally in scoring at more than 80 points per game, and they led the SEC in scoring this season. Rashad Madden and Bobby Portis are the leading scorers for a balanced offensive attack that has plenty of perimeter firepower. Arkansas owns a pair of overtime victories over Kentucky, and the Razorbacks only lost by two to Florida in overtime. Their defense is suspect, but Arkansas can outscore just about anyone on the right night.

The Sleeper

A four-game winning streak and a solid inside/outside combo make the Tennessee Volunteers worth keeping an eye on in the conference tournament. Senior guard Jordan McRae is averaging almost 19 points per game while junior forward Jarnell Stokes is averaging a double-double and might be the best rebounder in the SEC. However, the Volunteers lack any consistent scoring after their top guns, and they have struggled against tougher competition. The fact that Tennessee went 0-3 against Florida and Kentucky in the regular season doesn’t exactly bode well, but if McRae and Stokes both get hot, the Volunteers have a puncher’s chance.

Odds to Win SEC Conference Tournament
Florida -133
Kentucky +360
Tennessee +500
Arkansas +2200
Georgia +2700
LSU +3800
Mississippi +3800
Missouri +4000
Alabama +4500
Vanderbilt +12500
Texas A&M +35000
Auburn +100000
South Carolina +150000
Mississippi State +300000

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