Monday, March 06, 2000
SEC tournament preview
Stage is set for Vols
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TEAM TO BEAT: Tennessee. The Volunteers (24-5), ranked 11th, have tons of talent and a great draw. They open against either South Carolina or Alabama, two sub-.500 teams. Then they would face either Florida or Auburn. Auburn enters on a four-game losing streak, and UT has beaten Florida twice. Florida also would be playing its third game in three days and would be playing a day game after a night game.
DARK HORSE: Florida. The eighth-ranked Gators (23-6) drew the short straw, ending up tied for the East Division crown yet stuck with the third seed and the lack of a first-round bye. That means trying to win four games in four days, which has been done just once in this tournament, by Auburn in 1985. Florida's draw may not be so bad. If it beats Mississippi, it gets reeling Auburn.
MOST TO PROVE: Alabama. The Crimson Tide have been Jekyll and Hyde, going 11-3 at home and 0-10 on the road. Their last three home games were rousing upsets of Vanderbilt, Auburn and Tennessee — all of which were ranked at the time — so there's hope. But at 13-15 (6-10 SEC), with an RPI of 75th, Alabama will need a huge run. The NCAA Tournament selection committee never admits at-large teams without a winning record.
TOUGHEST DRAW: Auburn. The 19th-ranked Tigers (21-8) look lost without Chris Porter, having lost four straight since he was suspended for an NCAA violation. Their first game probably will come against Florida, which beat them by 29 points a week ago. Tennessee, which also beat Auburn by 29 in January, could await in the semifinals.
WEAKEST DRAW: Kentucky. UK gets a bye, then faces either Arkansas or Georgia, against which it is a collective 3-0 this year.
MOST LIKELY MVP: Tony Harris. Tennessee's point guard averages 15.1 points and 4.3 assists, shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point range. When he's on his game, the Vols are on theirs.
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: UK's Jamaal Magloire. While the Wildcats wait for their outside shooting to warm, they'll need their senior center to remain productive inside. Magloire's 9.9 rebounding average in league games in the SEC's best, and his experience could be invaluable.
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