SEC Tournament Taking Shape with Much on Line for Bubble Teams

Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia fates will be decided in next two weeks

Texas Longhorns guard Tre Johnson (20) battles Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) for a loose ball in the first half as the Longhorns take on the Razorbacks at the Moody Center, Feb. 5, 2025. Arkansas won the game 78-70. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The SEC Tournament is in the final stages of taking shape before it gets rolling in the second week of March and, despite there being little opportunity for Arkansas to play its way into a first round bye, the current scenario couldn't be more promising for the Razorbacks.

At the moment, the Hogs are slated to play in the lone night game on opening day, helping Arkansas avoid having to address its lack of success in games played before 7 p.m. Also, the Razorbacks are currently scheduled to play a revenge game against fellow NCAA bubble team Oklahoma.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
Game 1: (9) Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina (16), Noon
Game 2: (12) Texas vs. (13) Georgia, 25 minutes after Game 1
Game 3: (10) Vanderbilt vs. (15) LSU, 6 p.m.
Game 4: (11) Arkansas vs. (14) Oklahoma, 25 minutes after Game 3

That not only presents a chance to rectify a loss at Bud Walton Arena that probably shouldn't have happened, it's one of the few situations in which the selection committee might place weight on a conference tournament game. These are two teams fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives, so there is little reason to doubt the outcome as a team not fully trying while also giving a direct data point for separation between the two.

However, before all that can happen, there are several games that will dramatically impact the standings. Three will take place Wednesday night that will likely shuffle the race heading into the final week of SEC play.

Vanderbilt @ No. 12 Texas A&M
No. 17 Kentucky @ Oklahoma
Texas @ Arkansas

Both Arkansas and Texas have the exact same record. Yet, despite the Razorbacks going into Austin and knocking off the Longhorns, bracketology experts continue to give Texas the slight nod when it comes to bubble teams as among the last to actually be in the field while the Hogs join Oklahoma on a list of teams that will have to survive the 11 seed play-in games.

However, when it comes to the SEC Tournament, Arkansas is currently the higher seed and can likely keep it that way with a win Wednesday night. Also, as much as it would help Arkansas for the Sooners and Vanderbilt to not add another quality win, the idea that Kentucky would find its way down to Day 1 status at the SEC Tournament might be enough to stomach the potential disappointment.

If Vanderbilt pulls the upset on Texas A&M and Kentucky loses, the Wildcats lose their Thursday status as the No. 8 seed and fall into the back half of the SEC because of the74-69 head-to-head win by the Commodores back in January. It even creates a mathematical world where Kentucky possibly falls below Arkansas with No. 1 Auburn and No. 14 Missouri still left on the Wildcats' schedule.

The biggest takeaway is Vandy, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and now Geogia after the upset of No. 3 Florida Tuesday night, all have meaningful games the rest of the way. Most years the first day of the SEC Tournament has little value, but given the circumstances and how strong the league is top to bottom, how these final seeds shake out can mean a world of difference.

At the very least, it could lead to a lot of bubbles popping. The key will be locking up a spot in the NCAA Tournament before teams ever arrive in Nashville.

Here are the remaining schedules for the SEC bubble teams:

Arkansas:
vs. Texas, Feb. 26
@ South Carolina, March 1
@ Vanderbilt, March 4
vs. No. 24 Miss. St., March 8

Georgia:
@ Texas, March 1
@ South Carolina, March 4
vs. Vanderbilt, March 8

Oklahoma:
vs. No. 17 Kentucky, Feb. 26
@ Ole Miss, March 1
vs. No. 14 Missouri, March 5
@ Texas, March 8

Texas:
@ Arkansas, Feb. 26
vs. Georgia, March 1
@ No. 24 Miss. St., March 4
vs. Oklahoma, March 8

Of those teams, Oklahoma clearly has the toughest road. Arkansas and Georgia appear to have the easiest path to pick up a few needed wins, but with the Bulldogs having one less available game while currently a half game behind the Razorbacks, the odds are slightly against them.

Here is where things stand overall in the SEC at the moment.

1. Auburn ... 25-2, 13-1 ... (1)
2. Alabama ... 23-5, 12-3 ... (6)
3. Florida ... 24-4, 11-4 ... (3)
4. Tennessee ... 23-5, 10-5 ... (5)
5. Missouri ... 21-7, 10-5 ... (14)
6. Texas A&M ... 20-7, 9-5 ... (12)
7. Ole Miss ... 19-8, 8-6
8. Kentucky ... 18-9, 7-7...(17)
9. Miss. State ... 19-9, 17-8 ... (24)
10. Vanderbilt ... 18-9, 16-8
11. Arkansas ... 16-11, 5-9
12. Texas ... 16-11, 5-9
13. Georgia ... 17-11, 5-10
14. Oklahoma ... 17-10, 4-10
15. LSU ... 14-14, 3-12
16. South Carolina ... 11-17, 1-14

HOGS FEED:

• Former Razorback, future NFL Hall of Famer wraps long career

• Hogs’ release leading scorer’s status for Texas game

• Razorbacks walk to another midweek win over Grambling

• Supporters of Arkansas Raffle Act speak on next steps after bill fails

• Hogs must heed Calipari's warning with Longhorns up next

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow HogsSI on X and Facebook