SEC Basketball: 4 Teams That Could Be Dark Horses in SEC Tournament

Surprises have been few and far between in the 2012 SEC Basketball slate. No. 1 Kentucky sits atop the conference (and the nation), the No. 7 Florida Gators are solidifying themselves as Final Four sleepers and both No. 18 Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are shoe-ins for the Big Dance.

11 out of the last 15 SEC Tournaments have been won by either the Wildcats or the Gators, with Kentucky winning the last two. But nearly every year we see a cellar-dwelling SEC team make an impressive run (i.e. Georgia in 2008). That can be attributed to a combination of less-skilled teams fighting for the automatic NCAA berth and higher-skilled teams resting up for the tournament that really matters. 

The top four teams (Kentucky, Vandy, Florida and Miss. State) are in while Alabama remains on the bubble. Let's take a look at some dark horses that could spoil Kentucky's run at a third straight SEC Tournament championship.  

Ole Miss Rebels

It's been quite a while since the Ole Miss Rebels (14-8, 4-4 SEC) were worth mentioning in men's basketball, but the time may be coming. 

They lead the SEC and are 12th nationally in team rebounding, with 40 rebounds per game. They have a stellar five players, averaging double-digit scoring as well, led by senior forward Terrance Henry and double-double machine Murphy Holloway. 

They've upset No. 15 Mississippi State at home 75-68 and nearly pulled off the upset against No. 7 Florida, so they've proven they can play with the elite in the SEC. The real test is on Feb. 18, when they face the top-ranked team at Rupp Arena. 

Alabama Crimson Tide

Anthony Grant's squad hasn't lived up to the top-20 ranking they had early in the season, but they remain a dangerous team that can play with anyone due to their size, speed and all-around athletic ability. 

They gave Kentucky a huge scare on Jan. 21 on their home floor where John Calipari has never lost in a 77-71 defeat, and have looked decent in SEC play despite a four-game stretch where they had to face three of the league's top four teams. They're riding the bubble right now, so a deep run would greatly improve their chances come Selection Sunday.  

The Crimson Tide made the semifinals last year before being ousted by the champion Wildcats, and they've already proven this year that they match up well with the top-ranked team. The only issue is their recently suspended forward Tony Mitchell, who is second on the team in both points and rebounds. Getting Mitchell back by tournament time puts Alabama in position for a deep run. 

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas is one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the conference and have a very deep team that will be a huge boost in the SEC Tournament, when many teams are worn down and lackadaisical. 

They have some very impressive wins over Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and a big nationally televised win over Michigan. I like how they are unselfish with the ball and find many different ways to make baskets and load up the scoreboard.

If they can buckle down on their end of the floor, look for the Razorbacks to make some noise in this SEC Tournament.  

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee's record (11-12, 3-5 SEC) is a poor representation of what's going on at Rocky Top. That can be attributed to a brutal non-conference schedule and the worst of their SEC slate behind them.

Midseason enrollee Jarnell Stokes has given the Vols a boost, but forward Jeronne Maymon is the heart of this Tennessee team with 12 points and eight rebounds per game. Any player on their bench can break out at any given time. First-year head coach Cuonzo Martin's defensive mentality has echoed throughout his team as they're playing top defense in the SEC.

They only play one ranked team (Florida) through the second half of the SEC schedule—who they've already beaten this year. With their seventh consecutive NCAA appearance on life support, expect the Volunteers to fight their way to the SEC finals.