We still have a shot at it, not because of our W/L record, but because of high rankings in NCAA NET rankings and KenPom rankings. We're squarely on the bubble in those. Going 5-2 to finish at 18-13 squeaks us in, one ranker said. I think Lunardi has us as the 2nd team out. NIT is likely, but if we finish strong we can get in. Barely.
The Gators have been solid in SEC play. Now it's about taking care of business. First thing is taking care of business against a dangerous, but very beatable Vandy team. Let's get that one first, then I'll be more confident about what I've suggested in the recent past, which is "win one in the 4-game gauntlet and there's a path to 11 SEC wins." We actually even have a little margin for error. Sitting at six wins now and: Vandy (W) Miss (W) @Ark (L) UK (W/L) @Van (W/L) @GA (W) LSU (W) There's a long shot of getting 12 SEC wins. I don't expect that, but if we can get the expected wins and split UK/@Van we get 11. But after getting whipped by Bama, it's a littler harder to be optimistic. I just want to get that first one tomorrow against the 'Dores.
We sit at 13-11 and 6-5, with 7 regular season games to go, plus at least 1 SECT game before Selection Day. Good news is, we're better than 5 of the teams ahead of us, although not by a great margin. And SEC road games are always a challenge. Not counting the SECT, we could conceivably win all 7 and be a slam dunk for selection, but it's unlikely. Arky is playing very well and will probably beat us in their house. Win 6 and we're likely in. Win 5 and it's a wait and see. Any SECT wins will help a lot in those last two scenarios.
I hope to see our experienced players finish strong and with a will to do damage in whatever tourney they are in, SEC and beyond.