2024 SEC Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The SEC Tournament.

The SEC is back. By “back” I mean having six teams with a legitimate chance of making a run in the NCAA Tournament, which is more than most years in my opinion. The only issue is that only one of them is complete enough to win it all. But we’ll get to that later.

It’s the year of the offense in this conference for most of these teams, but more so by virtue of it not being the year of the defense. But y’all who have read my pieces before know that I love all of my SEC schools, even if a few of them get on my nerves from time to time. And now it’s mid-March, which means Nashville! Truly the best time of the year. Without further ado, the predictions, along with some awards for some very special players and people. 

2024 SEC Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

Freshman of the Year: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

Transfer of the Year: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

Coach of the Year: Lamont Paris, South Carolina 

First Team:

• G: Mark Sears, Alabama (21.1 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.0 RPG, 44.1 3P%, 50.6 FG%, 86.4 FT%)
• G: Sean East II, Missouri (17.9 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 46.2 3P%, 53.0 FG%, 85.3 FT%)
• G: Antonio Reeves, Kentucky (20.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 44.0 3P%, 50.7 FG%, 88.0 FT%)
• G: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (21.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 40.5 3P%)
• F: Johni Broome, Auburn (16.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.3 BPG, 58.8 2P%)

Second Team:

• G: Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee (11.6 PPG, 6.0 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG)
• G: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky (12.7 PPG, 4.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 54.0 FG%, 52.6 3P%, 84.1 FT%)
• G: Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M (18.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, 83.3 FT%)
• G: Zyon Pullin, Florida (15.7 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 44.4 3P%)
• F: Jonas Aidoo, Tennessee (12.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.9 BPG, 53.3 FG%)

SEC Tournament Simulation

First Round – Wed., Mar. 13

12. Arkansas (15-16, 6-12) vs. 13. Vanderbilt (9-22, 4-14) – 7 p.m. on SECN

Last time out between these two underachievers, Vandy pulled off the upset in Fayetteville on the backs of very strong performances from Ezra Manjon, Tyrin Lawrence, and Ven-Allen Lubin. But I feel like there are definitely some other variables at play here in this game, including a very important one concerning the fact that Vanderbilt could be playing for their coach’s job. That’s some major motivation. I do know that Arkansas’s offense has really stepped up lately, scoring 102 against Kentucky and 94 against LSU. But when in doubt, I have to side with external factors. That’s a fun way of saying I don’t know who’s going to win the game. I select the ‘Dores. 

George’s pick: 13. Vanderbilt

11. Georgia (16-15, 6-12) vs. 14. Missouri (8-23, 0-18) – 9:30 p.m. on SECN

I really want to pick Missouri here, I do. I’m not resigning a team to a 0-19 fate. That’s simply cruel to do and borderline heartless. So while I will admit Georgia is the favorite, the Bulldogs have a much clearer path to victory, the Georgia backcourt, with Hill, Demary Jr., and Thomasson is high-quality, and I typically don’t pick against Mike White, I do have a heart, and I will pick the Tigers. Also, Georgia is only a -3.5 favorite, 11 of Missouri’s 18 conference losses were by single-digits, and Sean East II (who *should* be on the media’s all-SEC team) has scored 20+ points in all of his past seven games. So I’m not solely doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I do have a couple of facts to back me up. 

George’s pick: 14. Missouri 

Second Round – Thur., Mar. 12 

8. LSU (17-14, 9-9) vs. 9. Mississippi State (19-12, 8-10) – 1 p.m. on SECN

Those who have kept up with my writings know that I’ve been impressed by both of these teams this season, especially LSU. That’s why I’m ultimately surprised that they ended up with a combined losing record in SEC games. LSU, unless they win the SEC tournament, aren’t going dancing. Mississippi State might need this win to ensure they make the Big Dance. When it comes down to it, the Bulldogs are playing at a higher level right now, even though LSU is certainly headed in the right direction long-term and I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next year. Also, I need to use this space to let my reader base know that if Reed Sheppard did not exist, I would have unanimously voted Josh Hubbard as SEC Freshman of the Year. Even in this timeline, where Reed Sheppard does exist, I had to think about it, which is pretty solid praise for both of those players. 

George’s pick: 9. Mississippi State

5. South Carolina (25-6, 13-5) vs. 13. Vanderbilt – 3:30 p.m. on SECN

Last time these two met, Collin Murray-Boyles dominated to the tune of a 31-7-2 statline. I was there. I saw that magical performance from the baseline. Since the start of February, the freshman has been averaging 16.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 BPG, and 1.5 SPG. He is an NBA prospect, not just next year, but this year even. I’m expecting him to return to Columbia next year, though. Sorry for getting off track. Even in Nashville, I don’t expect South Carolina to be challenged too much in this game, especially with the Gamecocks coming off rest and Vanderbilt having to play the previous day. I hope this isn’t the end of the Stackhouse era. I really think Jerry is a great human and a solid coach.  

George’s pick: 5. South Carolina

7. Texas A&M (18-13, 9-9) vs. 10. Ole Miss (20-11, 7-11) – 7 p.m. on SECN

For those that missed the last meeting (it was Saturday) between these two teams headed in two very different directions, the Aggies went into Oxford and won by a score of 86-60. Now Texas A&M will get them on a neutral floor. Aggies by 30 this time?

George’s pick: 7. Texas A&M

6. Florida (21-10, 11-7) vs. 14. Missouri – 9:30 p.m. on SECN

Does Missouri get their second SEC win of the tournament? I wouldn’t bet on it. I like the Tigers. But Florida is simply an elite rebounding team. Missouri has dealt with injuries and they don’t have the frontcourt depth that Florida has. The Gators are starting to click, though I do have to caution that they did just lose to Vanderbilt only a few days ago, so maybe I’m the one who’s reading this situation the wrong way. I shouldn’t be overthinking this one, though, says my brain. Gator roll?

George’s pick: 6. Florida

Quarterfinals – Fri., Mar. 15 

1. Tennessee (24-7, 14-4) vs. 9. Mississippi State (19-12, 8-10) – 1 p.m. on ESPN

Two teams, hungry for more wins to add to the resumes, albeit for different reasons, meet in the quarterfinals. That could be true of any SEC quarterfinal matchup, but it especially rings true here. The BubbleDawgs (yes, I’m bringing that back) are a very good team, and I love watching Josh Hubbard put the ball in the basket from 30+ feet away. Jimmy Bell Jr., Tolu Smith, and KeShawn Murphy are a great frontcourt tandem. But as Javier Bardem says in 2013’s The Hangover Part III, “…”. Yeah, he’s not in the Hangover trilogy unfortunately, but Jeffrey Tambor was, and that’s basically the next best thing. The next best thing (besides winning) for Mississippi State, though, would be to play this game close and hope some other bubble teams faceplant in their tournaments if Starkville wants to feel comfortable going into Selection Sunday. For what it’s worth, I think Mississippi State is a tournament lock if they beat LSU in the second round. Also, Tennessee should win this game. Just now forgot that I hadn’t officially made the prediction yet. 

George’s pick: 1. Tennessee 

4. Auburn (24-7, 13-5) vs. 5. South Carolina – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN

Blind resume time. Team 1 has a 4-7 record in Q1 games and one ranked road win. Team 2 has a 1-7 record in Q1 games and zero ranked road wins. Team 3 has a 4-4 record in Q1 games and one ranked road win. Big props to teams 1 and 3, right?

Team 3 is South Carolina. Team 1 is LSU. Team 2 is Auburn, who has fewer Q1 wins than Arkansas, Air Force, Southern, and the same amount of Q1 wins as Chicago State. Auburn are simply paper tigers. They have a magnificent home-court advantage, which afford them quite a boost in the predictive metrics, but not in my mind, which is the arbiter of this exercise. I’m aware that Auburn beat this team by 40 points in Auburn earlier this year. My retort? Let’s see them do it again. Gamecocks by 12. 

George’s pick: 5. South Carolina

2. Kentucky (23-8, 13-5) vs. 7. Texas A&M – 7 p.m. on SECN

So turns out Kentucky does have a defense, and it’s actually not too bad. Ok, maybe I’m reaching, but the Wildcats have won five games in a row, including against Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. Texas A&M will be hungry for a win here, and Wade Taylor IV in March is a scary sight. But when it comes down to momentum, as it so often does, y’all, the Wildcats have the mojo. (Insert Austin Powers GIF here.) Reeves, Sheppard, Dillingham? They’re all balling. And they’ll keep balling like Vilmer. 

George’s pick: 2. Kentucky

3. Alabama (21-10, 13-5) vs. 6. Florida – 9:30 p.m. on SECN

Last time these two teams met (last Tuesday), Florida mopped the floor with the Tide, dropping 105 points in Gainesville. Have I seen anything remotely close to improvement from the Alabama defense in their game since then? Considering they just gave up 88 points to Arkansas and haven’t allowed less than 80 points in a game since February 17, I’m going to say no. I’ve said this before, but there’s simply no way this Alabama defense is going to be able to hold their own in the tournament. They are fraudulent. Oh, here’s a fun fact. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the 16-seed that the Crimson Tide beat last year in the tournament, lost their coach to Western Kentucky and every single player who started a game for them last year. The Islanders have a top-100 defense according to KenPom. Alabama does not. 

George’s pick: 6. Florida

Semifinals – Sat., Mar. 16

1. Tennessee vs. 5. South Carolina – 1 p.m. on ESPN

Who wins the rubber match? South Carolina beat Tennessee in Knoxville, while Tennessee beat South Carolina in Columbia. My heart says go with the Gamecocks, but I’m paid to think with my brain. My brain also says that all Lamont Paris’s men have to do is stop Dalton Knecht, but that’s about as easy as stopping a hungry mouse with a block of Swiss cheese. Even if you slow him down, he’ll eat through it eventually and there’s going to be holes regardless. The mouse can pass the rock to his mouse buddies for an easy bucket, and then there’s really no reason to keep the cheese there. I prefer mozzarella anyway, like a true cheese enjoyer would. I think Tennessee is the more consistent team, but I also would not be surprised if the Gamecocks won. That’s the sound of me hedging my bets. 

George’s pick: 1. Tennessee

2. Kentucky vs. 6. Florida – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN

These two split the season series, with the road team winning each time. There isn’t a road team this time, so these two teams will have to figure out another way to settle the winner. Instead, I will settle it. Kentucky has the advantage here. One simply needs to look at the last week of the regular season. Florida is coming off a road loss to Vanderbilt. Kentucky is coming off a road win over Tennessee. Need I say more? 

George’s pick: 2. Kentucky

Championship – Sun., Mar. 17

1. Tennessee vs. 2. Kentucky – 1 p.m. on ESPN

Yeah, I get it. 1 vs. 2 isn’t the insanity-ridden conference tournament prediction we’ve come to know from our author. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. But they’re the two teams currently playing the best basketball in the conference, and momentum is everything. Not to dunk on Alabama again, but is that defense really going to hold up against Florida and Kentucky back-to-back? I don’t think so. And South Carolina beating Arkansas, Auburn, and Tennessee in three consecutive days? Y’all know I love the Gamecocks but that’s a tough sell. Auburn, the Paper Tigers with a singular Q1 win, are going to stack up two of them in two days? I don’t think so. I believe these two teams will meet in the finals in Nashville to square their differences. 

And I think the Vols pull it off. Sure, Coach Cal and Co. just won on Rocky Top. I’m aware. I watched the game. And I think that it’s unlikely that the same result happens twice in a row given how consistent Tennessee has been over the back half of the conference season. Dalton Knecht is the x-factor, per usual. 

George’s pick: 1. Tennessee