2010 SEC Tournament Bracket and Predictions

The 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket is finally official after Kentucky knocked off Florida on Sunday. What are my predictions for the always unpredictable 2010 SEC Tournament?

The University of Kentucky is the heavy favorite for the 2010 SEC Tournament. Can anyone slow down Kentucky in Nashville when the 2010 SEC Tournament tips off on Thursday?

Before we get into any predictions on the 2010 SEC Tournament, let's first take a look at the 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket. Games tip off on Thursday as Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt all earned byes for the 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket.

Thursday 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket
South Carolina vs. Alabama/Noon CST
LSU vs. Tennessee/2:15 CST
Auburn vs. Florida/6:30 CST
Georgia vs. Arkansas/8:45 CST

Friday 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket
S.C./Alabama winner vs. Kentucky Noon CST
LSU/Tennessee winner vs. Ole Miss 2:15 CST
Auburn/Florida winner vs. Miss. State 6:30 CST
Georgia vs. Arkansas winner vs. Vanderbilt 8:45 CST

Saturday 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket
Semifinals at Noon and 2:15 CST

Sunday 2010 SEC Tournament Bracket
Championship at Noon CST

What could happen in the SEC Tournament in 2010 other than Kentucky romping through the field?
Alabama and South Carolina is a coin toss in the opening game. The winner gets Kentucky. Kentucky did lose to South Carolina in the regular season on the road but rebounded to bash the Gamecocks to close out the regular season. My predictions say Alabama will win that opener anyway. Devan Downey is tremendous and he has exploded during the regular season but I think the Tide will withstand South Carolina in the opener.

My predictions say Tennessee should win against LSU. It's been a horrible year for LSU and they shouldn't be able to upset a very tough and determined Tennessee team under master motivator Bruce Pearl. Florida should also be able to hold off Auburn in the 6:30 CSTgame on Thursday. The Gators desperately need a few wins to get an NCAA tournament bid.

Georgia and Arkansas will be closer than most expect. The Bulldogs just got unlucky playing in a tough side of the conference this year with heavy hitters like Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The Bulldogs are better than their record would indicate and I am taking them to win over the Hogs.

That brings us to Saturday. My predictions say Kentucky will absolutely crush whoever they play in the opener. Kentucky has freshman John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. They also have Patrick Patterson who has been incredible late in the season. Kentucky has the most balanced and talented SEC team since the Florida Gators won the National Title.

Tennessee will upend Ole Miss in the second game on Saturday. The Vols should have no problems in moving on to a potential rematch with Kentucky. Mississippi State will be the only team out of the other division to win on Saturday. I look for the Bulldogs to move on to the semifinals with a win over Florida. Vanderbilt should beat Georgia but the two have battled this season. Georgia won at home and Vanderbilt barely nipped the Bulldogs in Nashville. My predictions say the Commodores will move on with a hot shooting night.

On Saturday, if my predictions are right for the 2010 SEC Tournament, Tennessee will face Kentucky. Will the Vols be able to beat Kentucky? I would say hands down this might be the best match up of the entire SEC Tournament if it happens. The two teams split during the regular season. Tennessee won the most recent and nearly blew a double digit lead to finally hold off Kentucky in Knoxville. I look for Kentucky to advance but by a slim margin. The Wildcats typically win the close games thanks to the play of future SEC All Conference performer John Wall. Tennessee doesn't have the depth to rival Kentucky with the loss of several players. If Tennessee wins, they'll exhaust a lot of energy as several players will play in excess of 35 minutes each. It's not likely they can do that against a team with the talent level of Kentucky.

Who will win the second game? My predictions say Vanderbilt should knock off Mississippi State. The Commodores didn't beat the Bulldogs by much during the regular season in Nashville. Look for Vanderbilt to come out poised in front of the home crowd and win.

That would set up a finale for the 2010 SEC Title between Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Kentucky has knocked off Vandy two times already. The Cats blasted Vandy in Lexington and then held on for a 2 point win in Nashville. This game could be close. It's hard to beat a team three times in one season. Kentucky will have wrapped up the Number One seed in the Big Dance by then so is there room for a let down? It certainly could happen but my predictions say Kentucky beats Vanderbilt in another Nashville thriller 67-64. The Commodores might come out with fire in their eyes. If there is anyone who can knock off Kentucky in the tournament, I would say it's Tennessee or Vanderbilt. Both teams can be explosive-in particular Vanderbilt with their three point shooting. Kentucky held Vandy to just 2-20 shooting in Nashville in the last meeting. That's not likely in a third meeting.

Vanderbilt will need to get open looks if they want to beat Kentucky. Why? Kentucky is long and the guards for the Wildcats do a tremendous job of not allowing great perimeter shooting nights from opposing teams. I also like Kentucky because they seem more capable of going three days hard and heavy with their young athletes.
Vanderbilt might have a little extra motivation sleeping in their own beds the nights of the tournament in Nashville. The Commodores have certainly proven they belong in the elite of the country with a Top 20 ranking.
It would not surprise me if Vanderbilt comes ready to play and knocks off Kentucky to claim the SEC title. I can't imagine this game would be a blowout in either direction. Both teams will be tired and trying to manage the game flow after back to back outings.

It would certainly be a good story in Nashville if it happens for Vanderbilt. My gut tells me that UK will win because they are physical, determined and have the better overall talent level. Vandy, playing with much emotion, could have way more heart on Sunday. A win will mean way more for the Commodores considering Kentucky might already be looking ahead to the NCAA tournament. An upset is certainly possible but Vanderbilt will have to find a way to get open looks. Vandy also will have to figure out a way to slow down DeMarcus Cousins who crushed them at Rupp Arena. If both teams make it, the 2010 SEC Title game could be a classic.