:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58854787/usa_today_10556728.0.jpg)
Where will the Kentucky Wildcats be seeded in the SEC Tournament?
It’s possible UK gets as high as the No. 3 seed, and they only need a top-four seed to get a double-bye and not play until Friday.
Most teams that make it to the SEC Championship Game do so after getting a double-bye. The last four champions have done so after scoring a double-bye, and all 14 title game participants over the last seven years have been a top-four seed.
Needless to say, if UK wants to even make it to the title game, they desperately need a top-four seed, especially with how John Calipari has been shrinking the rotation lately and giving heavy minutes to his best players (only six players logged over 15 minutes against Missouri in a game that was a blowout for most of the second half). It’s hard to see that holding up in four games over four days, which is what happens if UK is a 5 seed or lower.
Over at KSR, Tyler Thompson did a great breakdown of what needs to happen for UK to get a top-four seed and double-bye. The easiest way is for the Cats to simply win their final two games, but the odds may be against that happening.
First, the Cats need to beat Ole Miss on Wednesday in a game in which the home team is heavily favored in.
However, Saturday’s matchup with the Florida Gators is a game UK is projected to be an underdog in, and for good reason. Florida just whipped Alabama in Tuscaloosa, which followed a win over No. 14 Auburn last Saturday.
Plus, Florida won at Rupp Arena earlier this season, albeit in controversial fashion. Regardless, there’s really no question Florida should be the favorite this Saturday.
The good news is UK can lose to Florida and still get a top-four seed, but only if the Missouri Tigers beat the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Problem is, after watching Arkansas win at Alabama and then whip No. 14 Auburn — along with the Tigers losing three of their last four games — I’d pick the Hogs to win at Missouri this Saturday.
In that scenario, the Cats would have to beat Florida for a top-four seed, or else, they’d end up getting the 5 seed and playing on Thursday.
All told, the Cats control their own destiny in the final week of the regular season, and that’s all you can really ask for.