SEC Basketball Bubble Blurbs

It's crunch time for basketball teams. Some teams are on cruise control while others are desperate to bolster their tournament resume. I'll take a look at each team with a chance for post season play and give a likelihood of an NCAA birth.

Teams That Are In:
1. Florida - The Gators are the best team in the country and No. 1 in the polls. Proceed directly to a No. 1 seed. Chance at NCAAs: 100%

2. Kentucky - Big Blue has played a brutal schedule and has performed well. Their six losses were all to teams in the top 50 in the RPI ratings and they have quality wins against Louisville and Indiana. The 'Cats are fighting for a three seed or better, but their remaining games are all challenges and most are on the road. Chance at NCAAs: 100%

Need to Finish, But Look Strong:
3. Vanderbilt - Vandy is a team that until a week ago looked like one of those teams that would get on a roll at the end of the season and get a "hot team" bid. After all, the 'Dores have some dreadful losses, Furman, Wake Forest, Auburn. At the same time, they have a win over Kentucky and Tennessee. They should finish above .500 in the SEC and that will probably be enough, although a win or two in the SEC tournament would help. Chance at the NCAAs: 80%

4. Tennessee - The Vols have a decent resume, but the injury to Chris Lofton really slowed them down. They only have one really bad loss, at Auburn. Their RPI is in the top 15, but they have not won one SEC road game. The Vols have a brutal home stretch in the SEC and they need to beat Alabama and Georgia to have a shot at a winning conference record. If they don't get them, they'll need a couple of wins in the SEC tournament. Chance at NCAAs: 75%

5. Alabama - Remember when Bama was in the Top 5? That was before they played anyone. The Tide doesn't have a real sexy win, although Xavier and Georgia are decent teams. They have a shot at winning at least three of their last six, anything more will be icing on the cake. They'll make it in based on wins alone, but if they had Tennessee's schedule, they wouldn't make it. Chance at NCAAs: 75%

Bubble Teams:
6. Arkansas - Losses to Missouri and South Carolina really hurt the Hawgs. Their RPI is good and they have played a great schedule. The problem is they need a few more wins in conference and they need to win a couple of road games. They have some good wins against West Virginia, Alabama, and Southern Illinois. If they win their remaining SEC West games and get a road win at Vandy or beat UT in Bud Walton, I think they're in. Chance at NCAAs: 55%

7. Georgia - The Dawgs looked solid after beating LSU in Athens a few weeks ago. Since then, they have slowed considerably and their leading scorer is out for the year after a nasty knee injury Saturday. The other Georgia guards must step up because Georgia needs win two or three more conference games. That's possible, if they hold court in Athens against Auburn and Mississippi State. A win at Ole Miss would be great, but a challenge. Chance at NCAAs: 50%

8. Ole Miss - The Rebel's record would say they deserve a shot at the tournament, but their nonconference schedule was pitiful. Their RPI is bad and they have a couple of bad losses. Despite this, they are still in the SEC West and could finish with a winning record in the conference. If they get hot, winning five of their last six (very possible) and get a couple of wins in Atlanta, it's possible. Chance at NCAAs: 40%

9. LSU - Last year's other SEC Final Four participant has struggled this year. They have a great win against Texas A&M, but little else. The Tiger need to go on a streak, beating the rest of their SEC West opponents, and get an upset win against the Gators or in Lexington. That's going to be even tougher if Big Baby can't play. It's going to be tough. Chance at NCAAs: 30%

The conference will be lucky to get seven teams in the NCAA this year. I think five will actually get in because they last few weeks of the conference schedule is more likely to provide bubble teams stumbling through mediocrity rather than teams streaking to greatness.

In related news, the conference has compiled what the SEC tournament would look like if the season ended today.