SEC Tournament 2015: Round 1 Schedule, Live Stream Info and Bracket Predictions

The 2015 SEC tournament appears to be Kentucky and everyone else, but plenty of teams are looking to make their marks in Nashville.

From squads hoping to improve their seeds in the NCAA tournament to bubble teams looking to solidify their positions to programs simply hoping to end the year on a strong note, there are plenty of storylines to follow throughout the tournament.

For the teams competing in the opening round, it will mostly be having something positive to take away from the year. Things have not gone well for any of the four squads, but a strong showing in the conference tourney could provide some hope for the future.

Here is a look at what to watch for in the first two games of this competitive tournament with predictions for each battle.

What: SEC Tournament Round 1

Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

When: Wednesday, March 11

Time: 7 p.m. ET (second game will start 25 minutes after Game 1 ends)

TV: SEC Network

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Game 1: No. 12 Mississippi State vs. No. 13 Auburn

USA TODAY Sports

Neither team has had much success down the stretch this season, but one team has to win this game. Mississippi State won just two of its final nine games, while Auburn had just one win in the same amount of time.

However, the one thing these squads don't lack is confidence. Energetic Auburn coach Bruce Pearl has high hopes for the SEC tournament, saying, "With the exception of Kentucky, there is not a team there that we can't beat. We have to go up there and try to shock the world," via Joel A. Erickson of AL.com.

Despite the lack of success, Pearl isn't far from being correct. The Tigers do have a lot of talent on the roster, from leading scorer KT Harrell to double-double threat Cinmeon Bowers. Additionally, the squad will get a big boost from Antoine Mason:

Mason missed the last three games after the death of his father, former NBA star Anthony Mason.

There have been serious problems defensively for Auburn this season, but this trio can score with the best the conference has to offer. Mason and Harrell are players you can trust with the ball in their hands late in close games.

The same can't be said about Mississippi State, which ranks 310th in the nation with an average of 61.6 points per game. Gavin Ware has been a solid interior presence as of late, while Craig Sword has put up big numbers in the final few weeks of the season. However, it is simply too big of a struggle for the team to get the ball in the basket.

It will be a close battle, but look for Auburn to pull off the mini-upset in the first game of the tournament.

Prediction: Auburn 71, Mississippi State 67

Game 2: No. 11 South Carolina vs. No. 14 Missouri

USA TODAY Sports

Missouri has struggled mightily this season on both ends of the court, but the offense is the real problem. According to KenPom.com, the squad ranks just 244th in the nation in offensive efficiency, thanks mostly to an effective field-goal percentage that ranks 297th.

This adds up to a 9-22 record, which is even worse away from home, where the Tigers are 0-14 this season. Rush the Court notes just how bad things have been:

The squad is also 3-17 against the RPI top 100. South Carolina ranks just inside at No. 97 in the nation. 

While South Carolina hasn't exactly had a banner season, the Gamecocks should have the advantage thanks to a trio of quality guards in Tyrone Johnson, Duane Notice and Sindarius Thornwell. 

With an impressive defense that uses its length to make every shot difficult, Missouri will struggle to get enough points to be competitive in this one.

Prediction: South Carolina 61, Missouri 50

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