2013 SEC Tournament Semifinals: Complete Bracket, Preview and Where to Watch

Heartbreak and jubilation aside, it is down to four teams in the Southeastern Conference Basketball Tournament.  And bracketology experts are in full buzz over today’s pairings.  Only one team of the four remaining teams, the Florida Gators have a NCAA bid locked up.  Alabama and Ole Miss could punch their tickets with wins today and the Vanderbilt Commodores, at 16-16, represent the true darkhorse and the team that will wreak havoc on mock brackets if they continue to win.  Let’s take a brief look at today’s matchups and the NCAA impact.

FLORIDA vs ALABAMA

 Florida is currently the only SEC still playing and they could lock down a number two seed in the tournament with a win today, depending on what else may happen.  THe Gators were ranked #13 in the latest AP poll, but are currently a #6 RPI on the CBS RPI Rankings,  A win improves UF to 26-6 and you would think that number two seed.  Alabama still has their work cut out for them.  Alabama, at 21-11, is currently ranked #60 in the CBS RPI rankings and are 0-4 versus top 50 teams.   Their best win is over #52 Villanova and it is important to note that Alabama has two wins over #59 Tennessee, a team that some pundits have in the Tournament as a last four in.  If Alabama wins today, they have to be in the “first four in” conversation and would be one game from the automatic bid itself.

VANDERBILT vs MISSISSIPPI

At this point, Ole Miss is 24-8 and #51 in the CBS RPI.  You can argue that 24 wins is enough to earn them a spot in the NCAA and a win today will certainly punch their ticket.  A loss though will keep the Vanderbilt wildcard going and have the Commodores a win away from an automatic bid.  With a pair of wins over #35 Missouri, it would be robbery to keep Ole Miss out of the tournament, but a team like Vanderbilt winning the whole thing could rob that SEC bid from the Rebels.  It is far simpler for Ole Miss than Alabama.  Win and they are in.  Ole Miss defeated Vanderbilt 89-79 on the road earlier this season.

Here is a look at the complete bracket and all of the results so far:

National radio for the semi-final games will be on XM 199 /Sirius 126. The championship game will be on XM 91 / Sirius 91. Here is a look at the complete remaining TV schedule for the tourney along with game start times. All times are EST.