We pretty much have to win out to have any shot of advancing to the NCAA Tourney, but we probably need to finish 2nd overall in the SEC to do so.
That being said, We are currently in virtual three way tie with Tennessee and Florida for fourth. A win over Tennessee knocks them to sixth and we have Florida at the Hump. A win would also move us into a tie for third with the loser of Kentucky.South Carolina (two teams which we beat, obviously). So here's the question.
Who needs to win this important game in the East? My thought is Kentucky for three reasons.
(1) South Carolina could likely win its last three games (Tennessee, Georgia, Vandy)
(2) A road win at Kentucky would look a little stronger
(3) Kentucky still has to play LSU, so they'll get their loss down the road.
Conversely, an argument could be made for South Carolina to win and hope for them to drop one of their last three.
(1) We still beat USC, so if we end up tied with them for second, the committee would consider that.
(2) It gives us a chance to finish two games ahead of Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky (2 of which are very likely to make the tournament)
We have work to do - I think we probably need to win tonight and take the last three as well - but we've all watched these selections before. We should not underestimate the power of having the head of the selection committee as a strong ally (Commissioner Slive). If we finish second overall in the SEC - we are in. We may be a 12 seed in Boise, Idaho because of RPI, but we are in.
Also, pseudo-RPI calculations have us jumping to the low 60s with a win over Tennessee.
That being said, We are currently in virtual three way tie with Tennessee and Florida for fourth. A win over Tennessee knocks them to sixth and we have Florida at the Hump. A win would also move us into a tie for third with the loser of Kentucky.South Carolina (two teams which we beat, obviously). So here's the question.
Who needs to win this important game in the East? My thought is Kentucky for three reasons.
(1) South Carolina could likely win its last three games (Tennessee, Georgia, Vandy)
(2) A road win at Kentucky would look a little stronger
(3) Kentucky still has to play LSU, so they'll get their loss down the road.
Conversely, an argument could be made for South Carolina to win and hope for them to drop one of their last three.
(1) We still beat USC, so if we end up tied with them for second, the committee would consider that.
(2) It gives us a chance to finish two games ahead of Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky (2 of which are very likely to make the tournament)
We have work to do - I think we probably need to win tonight and take the last three as well - but we've all watched these selections before. We should not underestimate the power of having the head of the selection committee as a strong ally (Commissioner Slive). If we finish second overall in the SEC - we are in. We may be a 12 seed in Boise, Idaho because of RPI, but we are in.
Also, pseudo-RPI calculations have us jumping to the low 60s with a win over Tennessee.
