NCAA Basketball: Evaluating the SEC's Potential Tournament Teams

The Southeastern Conference is definitely known more for its football than its basketball. However this year the SEC is looking to fit six teams into the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are all considered tournament-worthy and are expected to qualify for the Big Dance.

But, are all teams capable of making a serious run at a national championship?

Here's a list of the six potential qualifiers, and their chances of making it deep into the tournament.

Alabama Crimson Tide (19-9, 11-3)

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 10: Tony Mitchell #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dunks against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym on February 10, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 11 Seed, West Bracket

Alabama's rise to a regular-season division crown has been a feel-good story for a team full of unknowns; however many argue the Tide have benefited from a very weak SEC West.

This may very well be true. Alabama is 11-3 in their conference, but went just 8-6 out of conference with losses to Seton Hall and St. Peters.

There is no doubt, however, that Alabama has been hitting their stride during SEC play, and possesses some high-caliber athletes who could do some serious damage in tournament play.

Junior forward JaMychal Green has been putting up all-conference numbers with 16.1 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. He and forward Tony Mitchell (15.7 ppg, 7 rpg) have combined to create a dangerous tandem.

What Alabama Can't Afford To Do: The Crimson Tide are considered one of the last teams into the tournament. Their remaining two SEC games are at Florida and home versus Georgia—both tournament contenders. While 'Bama is considered the last team in from the SEC, they might be in the safest spot. They would have to get absolutely destroyed by Georgia or beat in their first round SEC Tournament game to fall out of tournament contention.

What Alabama Should Do To Help Their Resume: Winning at Florida tonight would lock them up. Some other teams could work their way into Alabama's spot, but that's out of their control. Having strong performances down the stretch will be key. If they go two for two in their final SEC games, they can't be left out.

Tennessee Volunteers (17-12, 7-7)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Scotty Hopson #32 of the Tennessee Volunteers drives to the hoop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at Consol Energy Center on December 11, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justi

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 9 seed, Southwest Bracket

The Volunteers of Tennessee have had a roller coaster season so far, highlighted by fantastic victories and shadowed by the suspension of—as well as newer allegations against—head coach Bruce Pearl.

Despite having a very mediocre 17-12 record, Tennessee has saved itself with one of the strongest schedules in college basketball, snagging impressive non-conference wins over Villanova, Pittsburgh and Memphis.

Their conference record isn't earth shattering, but many pundits are exempting teams from the SEC East due to the high concentration of tournament-quality teams within the division.

Many have forgotten that this same team has lost to Oakland, UNC-Charlotte and The College of Charleston.

Personnel-wise, however, it's hard to not like Tennessee. Scotty Hopson, averaging 17.6 points per game, might be the SEC's best player, as well as a potential lottery pick. Also, freshman forward Tobais Harris has already made a name for himself as an elite player.

Tennessee is dangerous, and with Pearl, could very well glide into the Sweet Sixteen, or further.

What Tennessee Can't Afford To Do: The Volunteers play on the road at South Carolina on Thursday night. The Gamecocks have had some miserable games in SEC play, and a bad loss to them could raise red flags for the Vols.

What Tennessee Can Do To Help Resume: The Volunteers play against No. 23 Kentucky this Sunday. A win against them would drastically improve their appearance.

Georgia Bulldogs (19-9, 8-6)

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Trey Thompkins #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs goes up for a dunk attempt against the Arkanasas Razorbacks during the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2010 in Nashville, Tennes

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 11 Seed, Southeast Division

The Georgia Bulldogs are another team that is in a safe spot, but hasn't really obtained a lot of super impressive wins. They have beaten everyone they were supposed to beat, though sometimes not by much, and have only lost to quality teams.

Their non-conference losses are to Notre Dame, Temple and Xavier. All of their conference losses have come at the hands of Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky. The 'Dawgs also had some of the worst imaginable luck in their home losses to the 'Dores, Gators and Vols.

Win or lose, Georgia always shows tournament qualities. Juniors Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie have continued to be as dynamic as expected; however senior forward Jeremy Price and junior guard Dustin Ware have exceeded expectations.

Ware has evolved into an ultra reliable three-point shooter, and Price is a serious physical presence in the paint. Plus, transfer guard Gerald Robinson—despite being turnover-prone—rounds out a starting five that brings in very complete, yet distinctively different athletes. Georgia plays to their strengths and hides their weaknesses, though they have had mental lapses that have had pundits shaking their heads and fingers.

What Georgia Can't Afford To Do: The 'Dawgs host their final home game tomorrow night against Louisiana State. If Georgia drops at the hands of the Tigers, they will undoubtedly be kicked to the bubble, and will require a win at Alabama and a nice tournament game to solidify any tournament seed.

What Georgia Can Do To Improve Resume: Winning tomorrow night, and again at Alabama. If Georgia does that, they cannot be left out of the tournament.

Kentucky Wildcats (20-8, 8-6)

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LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 08: DeAndre Liggins #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 8, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 73-61. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 5 seed, West Bracket

Kentucky looked great during their non-conference schedule. However in the rough and rowdy SEC East, the 'Cats youth has come back to bite them countless times on the road.

That appears to be their only weakness. Freshman sensations Brandon Knight and Terrance Jones are both averaging more than 17 points per game. Also, senior center Josh Harrellson has been a enforcer in the post.

The bright lights and big stage might be too much for Kentucky's youth to handle, but they have definitely earned a spot in the tournament so far. The Wildcats would be hard pressed to play out of the field, considering their final games are against Vanderbilt and Tennessee.

What Kentucky Can't Afford To Do: It seems unlikely, but if Kentucky is absolutely destroyed by Vanderbilt and Tennessee, dropping their record to 20-10, and then demolished in their first tournament game, they might lose out. But, let's get real, that won't happen. The 'Cats should be dancing once again.

What Kentucky Can Do To Improve Resume: If the 'Cats really want to bolster up their seeding, wins over Vandy and Tennessee would bring their record to 22-8 (10-6), which would be very impressive, considering their strength of schedule.

Vanderbilt Commodores (21-7, 9-5)

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Kyle Fuller #11 and Festus Ezeli #3 of the Vanderbilt Commodores react after forcing a turnover against the Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Gym on February 12, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt won 81-77. (Photo by Gran

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 5 seed, East bracket

Vanderbilt has not had one major letdown all season, and is starting to look more and more like the best team in the SEC.

Also, they are looking like the most tournament-ready team in the conference. With their only eyebrow-raising loss being an overtime defeat on the road in Columbia, the 'Dores are pretty much primed for a seven seed or better.

Sharpshooter John Jenkins has quietly been one of the best players in the entire nation, scoring over 19 points per game, and experience from Jeffery Taylor and Festus Ezeli has transformed Vanderbilt into a complete team that can win games in a variety of ways.

Vanderbilt's final games against Kentucky and Florida will only serve as chances for them to improve their stock. Losing both will not hurt their tournament chances at all.

What Vanderbilt Can't Afford To Do: Not much. This team will be in the tournament, no matter what.

What Vanderbilt Can Do To Improve Resume: If Vanderbilt beats Florida and Kentucky, their national perception will increase, and many will deem them a top team. Is that good or bad for them?

Florida Gators: (22-6, 11-3)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Erving Walker #11 of the Florida Gators plays against the Ohio State Buckeyes November 16, 2010 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

ESPN Bracketology Projection: 4 seed, Southeast bracket

The Florida Gators got off a to a quiet and frustrating start to the year, dropping a marquee game by 18 points to Ohio State and losing local filler games to Central Florida and Jacksonville.

However, the Gators would rebound at full force and eventually rise to the top of the SEC East. Also, Florida's conference losses are by a combined 18 points.

The Gators backcourt of Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker is a deadly combination, and Chandler Parsons is a versatile player who forces defenses to play the entire court. As long as Parsons is back to his healthy self, Florida could very well be in contention to grab another national title.

What the Gators Can't Do: Florida could actually hurt themselves more than Vandy could. They host Alabama for their final home game. A loss in that contest, combined with a loss to Vanderbilt and struggles in the SEC Tournament could mean the Commodores jumping Florida in terms of seeding. Who cares though, right? If you're in, you're in.

What the Gators Can Do To Improve Resume: If Florida beats Alabama, Vanderbilt and then wins the SEC Tournament, you might be looking at one of the top seeded teams in the country. A two or three seed, definitely.