Is the Alabama Crimson Tide vulnerable to a dark horse upset in the SEC Tournament?
By Ronald Evans
That leaves six SEC teams as potential dark horse threats to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament. The four teams are Mississippi State, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Arkansas.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama
The Bulldogs are 8-9 in SEC play and 19-11 overall. Their best wins are over Tennessee and Auburn. Mississippi State was on a five-game winning streak before a two-point loss to Kentucky in Starkville. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs met twice this season with Bama winning 82-74 and 99-67. The Bulldogs are scrambling for an NCAA Tournament bid and could pull off an upset or two in the SEC Tournament, including beating Alabama if the bracket allows.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama
The Aggies have slumped late in the season, with only two wins in their last eight games. Tennessee beat them by 35 points in Knoxville and they lost to Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 100-75. Their 17-13 overall record is not horrible, but an 8-9 SEC record is a serious underperformance given the roster talent available to Buzz Williams. The Aggies are clinging to Big Dance bubble status and that will give them added motivation in the SEC Tournament. A&M has won two games in a row and could provide an upset risk to top teams.