NCAA Tournament Invitations In The SEC: Pick Your Poison

Conference tournament time is underway and teams from every conference are getting their last chance to show the selection committee they belong in the NCAA Tournament.

For teams in the struggling SEC, the only way they can ensure a spot in the Big Dance is winning the conference tournament. Every other team will be sitting and waiting on Sunday to see if they get an invite or get their bubble burst.

The SEC is by far the weakest major conference this season, and no team seems to be better than average. The selection committee has a huge task on its hands to sort out the mess and figure out what teams deserve a spot in the field of 65.

Let's examine the contenders a bit:

Tennessee (19-11)

The Volunteers may be the most disappointing team in the SEC, along with Kentucky. This team's inconsistency is hurting its NCAA hopes right now. Tennessee has to make at the very least the SEC championship game to lock down a spot in the Big Dance. However, Tennessee's strength of schedule will help out tremendously.

Major Wins: Marquette, Florida two times. Major Losses: Temple, Alabama

Florida (23-9)

Florida remains in good contention for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, despite some shaky losses in conference play. Like the Vols, the Gators' strength of schedule is impressive. They're coming off an opening round win against Arkansas and take on Auburn next in a quarterfinal matchup. A win against Auburn should lock up a spot in the field of 65.

Major Wins: Washington, South Carolina. Major losses: Georgia, Mississippi State

LSU (25-6)

LSU has basically already locked up a spot in the Big Dance, but an SEC Championship would give this team possibly all the way up to a fourth seed in the NCAA Tournament. LSU ended the season on a sour note with losses to Auburn and Vanderbilt.

If LSU loses its first game in the SEC tournament, then LSU's opening-round game will be much tougher. Their record seems impressive, but there are no big wins outside of the SEC, which greatly hurts their tournament resume.                 

Major Wins: Florida, Tennessee. Major Losses: Auburn, Vanderbilt 

Kentucky (20-12)

Just over a month ago. Kentucky was looking like a team that could not only win the SEC Championship, but also go far in the NCAA Tournament. Now it is very likely Kentucky will settle for the NIT.

Kentucky most likely needs to win the SEC Championship to have a shot at anything other than the NIT. Kentucky is currently locked in a close one with LSU, and a win would greatly improve their chances. Some analysts think that the team's tradition will get them in the NCAA Tournament, but you can't rely on that. Kentucky is also just 1-4 against the Top 25.

Major Wins: West Virginia, Tennessee two times. Major Losses: VMI, Georgia, Ole Miss

South Carolina (21-8)

The Gamecocks have definitely seen their peaks and valleys this season. South Carolina has a little work to do before they can prepare for the NCAA Tournament. A tough early season loss to Charleston is really hurting them, along with the lack of a monumental win.

Baylor's win over Oklahoma yesterday boosted the stock of South Carolina's win over Baylor earlier this season. South Carolina needs to make the SEC Championship to ensure itself an invitation.               

Major Wins: Florida, Kentucky two times. Major Losses: Charleston, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State

Its going to be tough to sort out this SEC mess, but most likely three of these five teams will be in the NCAA Tournament. A team like Mississippi State or Auburn may find themselves in the tournament if they make the SEC Championship and put up an impressive fight, though.

As of right now, my three teams in are Tennessee, Florida, and LSU.