NCAAB SEC Conference Tournament Betting Preview (2021)
The SEC tournament returns to Nashville this weekend, as postseason hoops returns for this first time since the pandemic canceled the 2020’s version. The defending champion (2019) Auburn Tigers, who finished near the bottom of the conference in the regular season with a record of just 7-11, won’t be participating this year.
With a self-imposed ban following former assistant Chuck Person’s involvement in a 2017–18 corruption scandal, the Tiger’s season is done for the year. As a result, the top 11 seeds in this year’s tournament will have a bye, with the top four having a double-bye.
In addition to Auburn being out of the tournament, the rest of the top of the field looks equally unfamiliar, as Alabama comes in with the #1 seed. Followed close behind them, Arkansas has locked in the #2 seed with LSU and Tennessee trailing close behind.
Let’s take a look at where the value lies as first-tip approaches.
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SEC Conference Tournament
Dates: Wednesday, March 10 – Sunday, March 14
Site: Nashville, TN
No. 1 seed: Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous winners
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19
2019 – Auburn Tigers
2018 – Kentucky Wildcats
2017 – Kentucky Wildcats
2016 – Kentucky Wildcats
Favorite to Watch
LSU Tigers (+700) (1-3 seeds)
Led by one of the best players in the nation Cameron Thomas who is averaging over 23 points per game, the Tigers come into Nashville with the best player in the field. Add in forward Darius Days to the frontcourt, and when they’re clicking on all cylinders, it’s hard to find a more talented 1-2 bunch in the conference.
Though they have statement wins over Arkansas and Tennesee on their resume, the Tigers have yet to figure out the formula against the top-seeded Crimson Tide. Luckily for them, should things go according to seeding, they won’t have to face the Crimson Tide until the championship game, where at these odds, hedging opportunities will be available.
Top Live Underdog
Florida Gators (+600) (4-6 seeds)
Despite coming into this week as the #5 seed, the Gators have the fourth-best odds to win the whole thing, and for a good reason. Coming just a half-game away from securing the double-bye, the Gators have WVU and then #6 Tennesee, who they dismantled by nearly 30 points.
Though big man Colin Castleton anchors them, the Gators have the ability to shoot lights out and lead the SEC in Field Goal % at 47% heading into the week. Getting the winner of Vanderbilt/Texas A&M, the Gators will likely face Tennesee in the quarters, a team they match up well with.
Best Longshot Play
Kentucky Wildcats (+1500) (7 seeds or lower)
Despite having one of the worst regular seasons in the John Calipari era at Kentucky, the man has still won four of the last five SEC tournaments and has rarely seen this long of odds. While they certainly don’t have the typical guys from years past, they still have one of the most talented rosters in the conference from top to bottom.
With 2.6 blocks per game, Wildcat’s big man Isaiah Jackson leads the way for a team who has shown flashes of their ability in big wins over Tennessee (82-71), Florida (76-58), and LSU (82-69). If Calipari can get his guys mentally where they need to be, anything can happen where all it takes is a few games to get hot.
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.