NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Losses by Auburn and Michigan State on Saturday doubtless assured that the SEC could have a number of No. 1 seeds within the NCAA Match for the primary time within the trendy period when the sphere of 68 is revealed Sunday on CBS.
Coming into the day, Auburn was the highest total seed, adopted by Duke, Houston and Florida on the highest line, with the Tigers, Blue Devils and Cougars nearly assured of ending in these spots, in line with CBS Sports activities Bracketology Knowledgeable Jerry Palm.
The fourth No. 1 seed just isn’t locked in, however after Tennessee beat Auburn 70-65 within the semifinals of the SEC Match and Wisconsin defeated Michigan State 77-74 within the Huge Ten Match semifinals, the race has some readability.
“I imagine the SEC Match champion now would be the fourth No. 1 seed,” CBS Sports activities Bracketology Knowledgeable Palm mentioned.
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Had the Tigers received the SEC Match and had Michigan State received the Huge Ten Match, the ultimate No. 1 seed line might have consisted of Auburn (SEC), Duke (ACC), Houston (Huge 12), and Michigan State (Huge Ten).
However with both Florida or Tennessee assured to win the SEC Match, that staff will likely be well-positioned to finish up on the No. 1 seed line. Michigan State’s loss might additionally find yourself being significantly useful for a staff like Tennessee if the Volunteers minimize down the nets.
Tennessee entered the day as a projected No. 2 seed in Palm’s Bracketology however might usurp Florida on the No. 1 line in the event that they take a 2-1 edge of their season sequence with the Gators. The Vols not have to fret in regards to the Spartans, both.
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If Florida wins, it is going to be a digital lock as a No. 1 seed. Nonetheless, if the Vols take the title, it’s going to create an attention-grabbing Tennessee vs. Florida debate for the ultimate spot on the highest line. Tennessee can be 12-6 in Quad 1 alternatives with a victory, whereas Florida can be 10-5 in such video games with a loss.
However even when the Gators come across Sunday, UF coach Todd Golden made the case Saturday for why his staff ought to nonetheless be a No. 1 seed.
“I believe we secured a 1-seed at present,” Golden mentioned after Florida completed its 104-82 bludgeoning of Alabama within the semifinals. “That is my opinion. We’re second on KenPom proper now, beat Bama twice, beat Auburn at Auburn. I do not actually suppose it is a debate whatever the outcomes tomorrow.”
The SEC can also be on monitor to position 13 or 14 groups within the Huge Dance, which can shatter the Huge East’s outdated file of 11, which was set in 2011 when the league had 16 groups. When the NCAA Match consisted of 48 groups in 1980, each Kentucky and LSU obtained No. 1 seeds.