The 2018 NCAA Tournament gets started on Thursday, with four SEC teams trying to take one step closer to San Antonio.
Regular season champion Tennessee and SEC Tournament champion Kentucky will both take the floor, as will third-place Florida and Avery Johnson’s Alabama squad.
As always, my predictions are based on team analysis and who I think will win. Score projections are for my own amusement.
Let’s get to the picks, which are a bit more abbreviated than usual due to already doing in-depth previews on each of the regions.
Season Predictions Record (straight up): 245-72
No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Wright State – 12:40 PM EST, truTV (Tennessee’s South Preview)
I just love Tennessee’s overall balance, and while the Vols may not be flashy, they’re one of the toughest teams in this entire tournament.
This may be a defensive affair, but Rick Barnes’ team appears to be built for a deep run.
Prediction: Tennessee 69, Wright State 59
No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Davidson – 7:10 PM EST, CBS (South Region Preview)
Davidson is the type of team that can give Kentucky serious trouble, mainly due to how well the Atlantic 10 champions shoot the ball.
It’s essential that Bob McKillop’s squad keep Kentucky off the offensive glass, and if that happens, Davidson has a serious shot here.
However, John Calipari has his team playing its best basketball of the season, and while the upset feels possible, it’s hard to pick against the higher seed.
Prediction: Kentucky 75, Davidson 71
No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Alabama – 9:20 PM EST, TNT (Alabama’s East Preview)
While I love Collin Sexton’s ability to take over a game at any time, it feels like this is the toughest No. 8 seed that Alabama could have gotten in the first round.
Virginia Tech can score at a rapid rate and boasts a balanced scoring attack that will be difficult to stop.
Sexton will need a lot of help around him, and I’m just not sure the Crimson Tide will be able to find enough points down the stretch.
But as I always say, when Sexton is on the floor, anything is possible.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 74, Alabama 68
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 11 St. Bonaventure – 9:57 PM EST, truTV (East Region Preview)
Which Florida team will show up? That’s the question that will decide the outcome of this game.
I’ve said all season long that I could see the Gators going the furthest of any team in the SEC, and this isn’t exactly a terrible draw for Chris Chiozza and company.
While Florida’s defense leaves a lot to be desired, what I like most about this team is its ability to take care of the ball.
If that continues in this spot, I think the Gators are good enough offensively to overcome the red-hot Bonnies.
Prediction: Florida 70, St. Bonaventure 65
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