Georgia Basketball: Best case scenario for SEC Tournament
By Matt Green
After wins in four of their last five games, the Georgia Bulldogs currently sit in eighth place in the Southeastern Conference basketball standings, and it could get even better.
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Despite a frustrating season where Georgia has lost nearly every close game they’ve played, the Dawgs still have the potential to enter the SEC Tournament as the no. 5 seed.
But it’s going to take a little help.
SEC Standings (as of 2/27):
| SEC | W-L | GB | PCT | W-L | PCT | STRK |
| (9) Kentucky | 14-2 | — | .875 | 24-5 | .828 | W6 |
| (12) Florida | 13-3 | 1 | .813 | 23-6 | .793 | L1 |
| Arkansas | 11-5 | 3 | .688 | 22-7 | .759 | W5 |
| South Carolina | 11-5 | 3 | .688 | 21-8 | .724 | W1 |
| Ole Miss | 9-7 | 5 | .563 | 18-11 | .621 | W2 |
| Alabama | 9-7 | 5 | .563 | 16-12 | .571 | L2 |
| Vanderbilt | 9-7 | 5 | .563 | 16-13 | .552 | W4 |
| Georgia | 8-8 | 6 | .500 | 17-12 | .586 | W2 |
| Tennessee | 7-9 | 7 | .438 | 15-14 | .517 | L2 |
| Texas A&M | 7-9 | 7 | .438 | 15-13 | .536 | W1 |
| Auburn | 6-10 | 8 | .375 | 17-12 | .586 | L1 |
| Mississippi State | 5-11 | 9 | .313 | 14-14 | .500 | L6 |
| Missouri | 2-14 | 12 | .125 | 7-21 | .250 | L4 |
| LSU | 1-15 | 13 | .063 | 9-19 | .321 | L15 |
With 5th place and 10th place being separated by just two games, a lot could change between now and the SEC tournament in Nashville.
And here’s what it will take for the Georgia to jump all the way to fifth place:
5. Ole Miss – 18-11 (9-7)
- WIN at Alabama and LOSE vs. South Carolina
If Ole Miss beats Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and loses to South Carolina, currently the no. 3 seed, the Rebels would have a 10-8 conference record. Since Georgia beat Ole Miss 69-47 on Jan. 11, the tiebreaker would go to the Dawgs.
6. Alabama – 16-12 (9-7)
- LOSE BOTH vs. Ole Miss and at Tennessee
If Alabama loses each of their remaining games, that would give the Crimson Tide a 9-9 conference record. If they beat Ole Miss their record would be 10-8, and since the Dawgs and tied split the season series, Alabama would win the tiebreaker.
The first tiebreaker in tournament seeding is head-to-head record, and Georgia and Alabama split the season series.
The second tiebreaker in tournament seeding is win/loss record against the no. 1 seed, and it works its’ way down from there. Since each team lost to Kentucky and Florida, Alabama’s win over South Carolina would give them the tiebreaker over Georgia.
7. Vanderbilt – 16-13 (9-7)
- LOSE at (9) Kentucky OR vs. (12) Florida
If Vanderbilt loses either of their remaining games, which they will be favored to lose both, Georgia would jump them in the standings. A single loss would give them a 10-8 conference record, and the Dawgs’ 76-68 win over the Commodores on Jan. 17 would give them the nod.
8. Georgia – 17-12 (8-8)
- WIN BOTH vs. Auburn and at Arkansas
For Georgia it’s simple, in theory at least. For any of these aforementioned scenarios to matter, the Dawgs must take care of business. The Bulldogs won at Auburn on Dec. 29, and will most likely be favored against the 11th best team in the SEC.
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But the final game of the season at Arkansas will be tricky. The Razorbacks are 14-3 at home this season, including 5-3 in SEC play. They are winners of five straight and have to travel to Gainesville to play the Gators before hosting Georgia in the season finale.
So while it may not be likely that every one of these scenarios works out the way the Dawgs need it too, it is not inconceivable to think that Georgia will be higher than the no. 8 seed by the time the SEC Tournament comes around.