2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament: Printable Brackets and Tournament Preview

The 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament heads to sunny Florida as Tampa plays host to the games on March 12-15 at the St. Pete Times Forum. If you were planning on holing up with a good mystery novel this weekend, you might enjoy watching these games instead, as the best "who-dun-it" might be had by watching "who-won-it" when all is played out on the basketball court in the next few days. Get your SEC Basketball Tournament Printable Bracket and see if you can detect the good guys and bad guys this weekend.

From the regular season, it's not clear that any team could be suspected as a lock for the 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Champion. But here's a few who might have the motive and opportunity to become SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Champs and ensure an invitation to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament - Leading Suspects to Win it All

LSU - SEC West Champion and Overall Conference Leader

LSU (25-6) is the only nationally ranked team in the SEC, coming in at No. 16 on the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 poll and No. 20 in the Associated Press poll. While LSU may be first in the SEC they did end the regular season with a couple of losses. Additionally, according to the Pomeroy Rankings, LSU holds the worst overall strength of schedule in the SEC at 135.

Will LSU decide to show up for the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in Tampa or will their two-game slide continue?

Tennessee - SEC East Champion

Tennessee (19-11), picked to win it all in the SEC Conference, has been the "Forrest Gump and a box of chocolates" in the SEC this year. You truly didn't know what you were going to get from this seemingly talented team at any point in the season. Starting out with a high pre-season ranking and playing against solid out-of-conference competition, Tennessee comes into SEC Conference Tournament play with the highest overall strength of schedule (11) and leading the East. Key wins against Florida, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt - and a little luck as other teams dropped unexpected losses - put them atop the standings.

Two cringe-worthy losses to Kentucky and a lackluster performance against Alabama in front of a dead Thompson-Boling Arena crowd for the last game of the season makes Tennessee the most likely suspect to be guilty of performing up to their typical SEC Men's Basketball Tournament play - one and done.

Can they prove me wrong?

2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament - Other Potential Suspects

Due to the way the brackets shape up, Florida (22-9) has a good shot at winning the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in Tampa on Sunday if Tennessee and LSU bow out early. Even if Florida meets Tennessee in the semi-final game, it is unlikely Tennessee can beat Florida three times in one season.

Florida needs a good run in the SEC Tournament to be assured of a spot in the NCAA Tournament and they'll play hard to get it. But don't count out South Carolina (21-8) who's looked good off and on this season. Or Alabama (17-13), who showed a lot of heart by beating Tennessee in an away game and who may be peaking at the right time.

Kentucky might surprise all and show up for the conference tournament (you know the Kentucky fans will). But, if any team has been on more of a roller coaster ride than Tennessee this season, it's Kentucky.

It doesn't bode well for Kentucky to play four games and beat an inspired Florida team if it comes down to it for the SEC Tournament Championship game.

2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Champion - You Solve It

If you can solve the mystery of this mediocre SEC basketball season and predict the winner of the SEC Tournament, you'll need to look at some more stats to make your final verdict.

For more 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket Odds visit TeamRankings.com .

For official 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament info and a viewing schedule visit the official SECSports.com site.

Sources:
Pomeroy Ratings 3/9/09
TeamRankings.com
SECSports.com
SEC Conference Page at USAToday.com