Has this been the worst season in the history of the Southeastern Conference?  No, seriously.  And, this is the season they expanded to 14 teams, including adding a really good program, Missouri, and a decent program, Texas A&M.  And, they have the most overlooked ELITE team in the nation in Florida.  The Gators have been not near the top, but AT the top of the tempo-free numbers all year.  They are have a historically good year on the defensive end.  And, still, this is a terrible year for the SEC.  Kentucky, despite their second-place finish, is on the bubble.  Vanderbilt is way down this year.  Alabama and Arkansas didn’t live up to preseason expectations, despite very solid coaches with decent talent.  Tennessee made a late-season run, but was bad for most of the year.  And, Ole Miss, looked like a Top-10 team for a couple months and then a really bad team for about a month and a half.  If Georgia and LSU weren’t lined up against each other for the right to lose to Florida, I might call either (or both) of them sleepers.  This is just a flat-out bad year for the SEC.

CHAMPIONSHIP (March 17th – 60 points)

#1 Florida vs #3 Ole Miss
Marshall Henderson and company have done what they have needed to do.  They got a late win over Mizzou and took care of a really hungry (and incredibly well-coached, obviously) Vandy team to get them to the finals.  A win here would put them in automatically, but they probably just need to avoid getting embarrassed in order to get an at-large.  I still think Florida has an outside shot at a #1-seed, though they are probably playing for a #2 here on Sunday.  More importantly, they are playing for an SEC title.

Primm and Stumpf would pick up a cool 100 points here with an Ole Miss championship.

Ole Miss 66 – Florida 63
What looked like it was going to be a blowout Florida win, quickly turned into yet another amazing chapter in the life of the 2012-13 Ole Miss Rebels.  They erased a 12-point halftime deficit (that seemed like even more than a dozen) and ended up watching a Kenny Boynton three bounce off the rim as time expired, punching Andy Kennedy’s first-ever dance ticket.  Who needs a Committee when you can just win your win into the tournament?

Primm and Stumpf pick up a huge 100 points here.  The half the field that had Florida missed out big here.

SEMIFINALS (March 16th – 40 points each)

#1 Florida vs #4 Alabama
The Gators pounded LSU with no issue in the quarters on Friday, while Alabama held the Tennessee Vols to 48 points in a nice win.  ‘Bama could get themselves into serious bubble discussion with a win here, but without one, they are probably NIT-bound.  The Gators are still very much in the discussion for a #1-seed.

Nobody has ‘Bama here, but Doogan, J, and Lazarow have already lost it with Tennessee.  The other 21 people have UF, including half the field (Alex, Alexi, Bry, Cheryl, Dave, Gersh, GrossJr, GrossSr, LohseJr, Mac, Rikey, RDoc, Teddy, and Waters) that took them to win the tournament.

Florida 61 – Alabama 51
With ‘Bama leading most of the way, the Gators found another gear midway through the second half – mostly because Kenny Boynton decided he’d missed enough shots – and rallied to move on to tomorrow’s SEC Championship.  Alabama now has a long wait tomorrow that will probably end one win shy of tournament selection.

21 people got this one right, including half the field, who kept alive their champs.

#3 Ole Miss vs #10 Vanderbilt
Just as the clock struck midnight Saturday morning, Derek Millinghouse came off the bench to give the Ole Miss Rebels their biggest win in a long time over Missouri.  Now, they get a shot at Vandy for the right to go to the SEC Championship on Sunday, which should put them in safely in the field.  Vandy has already beaten two bubble teams – Arkansas and Kentucky – and now they get the Rebels.  Crazy matchup here in the late semi.

While no one has Vandy here, GrossSr, J, Primm, and Stumpf all have the Rebels winning this game.  Primm and Stumpf have them winning this tournament.  12 people (Alex, Alexi, Bry, Cheryl, Dave, Gersh, GrossJr, GrossSr, LohseJr, Mac, Rikey, RDoc, Teddy, and Waters) would pick up 60 if the Gators win it.  Primm takes the 2013 CTC SEC crown with an Ole Miss win, while Gersh takes it with a Florida win.

Ole Miss 64 – Vanderbilt 52
Henderson dropped a very loud 23, while Buckner and Holloway combined for a very quiet 27, as Ole Miss took control in the second half of a tight game and now put themselves in position not to have to wait for the Committee’s decision.  But, barring an embarrassing showing tomorrow, they should be in the field.

GrossSr, J, Primm, and Stumpf were all right about a very impressive Ole Miss run to the finals.  Primm and Stumpf can complete a monumental pick if the Rebs win tomorrow.

QUARTERFINALS (March 15th – 20 points each)

#1 Florida vs #9 LSU
This Gators teams has been forgotten about pretty much all year.  Maybe it’s because the SEC is so “down.”  Maybe it’s because they haven’t reached #1 in the polls.  Or, maybe it’s just because people forget how important defense (not “shot-blocking”) is.  This team plays hard-nosed, physical, team-oriented defense.  They don’t have that posterboy shot-blocker.  They don’t have a clever name.  They don’t press you all day long.  They just stop you from scoring – period.  And, their offense ain’t too shabby, either, with sharp-shooting guards, the ole “stretch-four,” and low-post presence.  Do not be surprised if this team is the last one standing a month from now.  Their first SEC Tournament game this year will be against an LSU team that took care of business on Thursday against 8th-seeded Georgia in a tough game.

Everyone has Florida in this one, including half the field (Alex, Alexi, Bry, Cheryl, Dave, Gersh, GrossJr, GrossSr, LohseJr, Mac, Rikey, RDoc, Teddy, and Waters) taking them to win this tournament.

Florida 80 – LSU 58
Erick Murphy felt healthy and went OFF on the Tigers in the quarterfinal appetizer here.  Murphy dropped 27 and 12 on LSU, ending any hopes they had at a long run in this tournament.  The future is bright, though, for the Tigers, who have some young guys and a decent recruiting class coming in next year.  Florida will move on to Saturday’s semifinal against either Alabama or Tennessee.

Everyone got this right, including half the field, who kept alive their champs.

#4 Alabama vs #5 Tennessee
Anthony Grant isn’t a good coach – he’s a great coach.  Which makes this subpar Alabama season all the more head-scratching.  They probably need at least two wins (with one of them over Florida) to make the Dance, which is really an underachievement.  Or is it?  Are Trevor Relaford and Trevor Lacey really all that good?  And, is this frontcourt big enough and deep enough to be an upper-eschelon team?  I’m not sure.  Honestly, if I had to choose this coach or this roster on which to place the blame when they miss the tournament, I’m definitely blaming the roster.  As for Cuonzo Martin’s Vols, they are knocking at the door yet again, but if they lose this one, they will probably fall short yet again.  This is clearly a bubble elimination game.

While everyone has one of these two teams, only eight people (Caleb, Gersh, Lohse, LohseJr, Lynch, Mac, Primm, and Rikey) rolled with the Tide, with none of them have ‘Bama over Florida in the semis.  J and Lazarow have the most at stake here with UT, as they have Tennessee winning this tournament and eliminating the bubble talk.  Doogan has a lot at stake here, as well, with Tennessee reaching the finals.

Alabama 58 – Tennessee 48
In an ugly game, the Crimson Tide earns the chance to battle Florida in the first semi on Saturday.  The Tide held the Vols to a meager 32% from the floor and 21% on 3s, while the Vols held themselves to a dreadful 50% (7-14) from the free-throw line.  ‘Bama’s defense was good, but they’ll need a better game than this to beat the Gators.

Eight people hit the favored ‘Bama here.  J and Lazarow lost their SEC champs.

#2 Kentucky vs #10 Vanderbilt
What a season for the ‘Cats.  They may have saved their bubble chances on Saturday with a win over Florida to close out the regular season, but an L here to start the SEC Tournament would almost nullify the gains they made by beating the Gators.  This just isn’t all that good of a team.  But, it’s important to remember the names Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin, Willie Cauley-Stein because if they’re smart, they will be first off the bench for Kentucky next year.  If they’re dumb, they’ll be last off the bench for some NBA team.  All three could be solid pros, but they’re far from ready.  The struggles of the ‘Cats this year only accentuates just how good last year’s team was.  Vandy, who popped Arkansas’s bubble Thursday night, is hoping to pop another one tonight (and, then possibly another one Saturday, if they get Ole Miss…).

Cheryl, Doogan, Gersh, and Teddy are all on Vandy here, hoping for a 100-point upset.  Eight people (Alexi, Caleb, J, Lynch, Primm, Rikey, RDoc, and Stumpf) have already lost this game with Arkansas.  The other half of the field has UK here, though only PapaCim has the ‘Cats winning this tournament, so this is a big game for him.

Vanderbilt 64 – Kentucky 48
Welcome to the NIT, ‘Cats.  One day after sending Arkansas to the NIT, the Commodores appeared to have done the same to Kentucky here.  Who knows, maybe they’ll get to face Ole Miss tomorrow with the chance to pop three bubbles in three days.  This is a terrible ending to a terrible season in Lexington.  As for Vandy, they don’t really have the talent, but that Kevin Stallings proves – YET AGAIN – they he can flat-out coach.

Cheryl, Doogan, Gersh, and Teddy all pull off the massive, 100-point upset here.  The eight people with Arkansas winning here are happy.  PapaCim is not, as he had UK winning this tournament.

#3 Ole Miss vs #6 Missouri
What a terrific game to cap off a nice quarterfinal quarduple-header in the SEC.  Ole Miss hasn’t made the tournament under Andy Kennedy, despite Kennedy putting together one of the most successful first five years in SEC coaching history.  This was the year, but the wheels fell off, including head-scratching losses to South Carolina and Mississippi St. (ouch!).  That being said, they have the talent to beat anyone in the country.  Most people are aware of the off-the-wall antics of Marshall Henderson (who I love, actually), and a lot of people also know about his game – which is LIGHTS-OUT.  What people don’t realize is that this team would have tournament talent without Henderson’s 20 points per game and All-American baggage.  Murphy Holloway and Reggie Buckner, in particular, are bonafied studs.  This is a great one to close up shop with in the Big XII semis.

Only six people (GrossSr, J, LohseJr, Primm, Stumpf, and Waters) took the Rebels in this one.  The other 18 all have Mizzou, many of whom have a lot at risk here with the Tigers, particularly Caleb, Doogan, Lohse, Lynch, and Scoot, who all have them winning this tournament.

Ole Miss 64 – Missouri 62
Let’s not throw dirt on Mr. Henderson and the Rebels quite yet, as reserve guard Derrick Millinghaus hit a game-winner with 1.1 seconds left to upset the Mizzou and send Ole Miss to a semifinal matchup against the SEC undertakers, Vanderbilt, who have already ended the NCAA tournament hopes of Arkansas and Kentucky.

Six people hit this mighty nice upset, while 5 others lost their SEC champion here.

SECOND ROUND (March 14th – 10 points each)

#8 Georgia vs #9 LSU
The two live sleeper picks in this tourney, and they are lined up against each other in the 8/9 game for the right to play a top-seeded Florida team that is not exactly a good candidate to be upset.  Oh well…  Johnny Jones has done a really good job making this LSU team competitive again.  And, there is no reason – with their tradition, location, and resources – that this can’t be a big-time program again.  As for UGa, they have never really invested in the basketball program, and their results show that.  Regardless, though, they always seem to find some super-talented kids, and this year’s team is no exception as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a STUD.  (Anyone who follows the CTC knows my love affair with awesome names, and Kentavious is certainly one of the best this year.)

Half the field (Alex, Bry, Dave, Doogan, GrossSr, J, LohseJr, PapaCim, Primm, Rikey, RDoc, and Scoot) went with the ‘dog, while the other half took the Dawgs.  No one has either of these teams beating the Gators in the quarters on Friday.

LSU 69 – Georgia 63
LSU was up as many as 23 in this one, including a 20-point halftime lead and held on against a furious UGA comeback.  The Tigers, who got 24 from from Shavon Coleman, will move on to face #1 Florida in the quarters on Friday.  The great-named Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 32 in the losing effort.

12 people got this one right.

#5 Tennessee vs #13 Mississippi St.
The Volunteers are doing their old thing again.  They were terrible for a while and now they are RED-HOT and making people talk about them in the bubble conversation.  This is two years in a row that have played out this exact same way.  Well, if they really want to be in the conversation, they can’t possibly slip up here against a bad Mississippi St. team, who squeaked past South Carolina in the opening round.  The winner of this game will take on Alabama in the quarters.

Mac and Primm have the big MSU upset here.  J, Lazarow, and Doogan have the most at stake with Tennessee here, as they all have them going to the finals.  A slew of people having the Vols beating Alabama on Friday.

Tennessee 69 – Mississippi St. 53
The Vols make short work of MSU here to advance to the quarters for a big bubble battle with Alabama.  A bad year for the Bulldogs was softened a little by winning a game in this tournament, but a full rebuild is in order in Starkville.

Mac and Primm miss out on a big upset, while J, Lazarow, and Doogan keep alive finalists.

#7 Arkansas vs #10 Vanderbilt
Kevin Stallings is one of the best coaches in the country that no one ever talks about.   After the graduation of Jeffrey Taylor and John Jenkins (among others), there wasn’t much left for the Commodores on the roster.  But, Stallings did another fantastic job with this team – just to finish 10th.  He’s really, really good.  Arkansas was one of the more disappointing teams in the SEC this year, as the Razorbacks were excellent at home, but kind of terrible on the road.  This team has tournament talent, but won’t be going without a long run here this week.  The winner of this game will get Coach Cal and the UK Wildcats on Friday in the quarters.

Ten people (Alex, Bry, Cheryl, Dave, Doogan, Gersh, GrossJr, GrossSr, Scoot, and Teddy) have Vandy here.  Cheryl, Doogan, Gersh, and Teddy have them winning again on Friday.  Eight people (Alexi, Caleb, J, Lynch, Primm, RDoc, Rikey, and Stumpf) have the Hogs winning Thursday and Friday, though no one has them in the finals.

Vanderbilt 75 – Arkansas 72
Poor free throw shooting for Vandy nearly blew them a big lead, but they hit the ones they needed down the stretch, and the Commodores advance to the quarters to take on Kentucky on Friday.  A disappointing season for Arkansas ends here with a likely trip to the NIT upcoming.

Ten people hit this upset pick, with Cheryl, Doogan, Gersh, and Teddy keeping alive the possibility for a huge upset in the quarters  Eight people lost semifinalists here.

#6 Missouri vs #11 Texas A&M
The nightcap of the SEC second round quadruple-header is the best game of the day in Atlanta.  A&M took care of Auburn on Wednesday to set up a matchup with Mizzou here in the second round.  The winner will get #3 Ole Miss in the quarters.  Missouri lost a lot, but they still have a lot, too, including the influx of Lawrence Bowers (who’s awesome) off an injury and Alex Oriahki (who’s NOT awesome), a transfer from UConn.  With Flip Pressey at the point, the sky is the limit for this team.

J is the only one with A&M in this one, so he will get a free 60 points with an upset here.  Plus, he will bust a lot of brackets in the process.  FIFTEEN people (Alex, Alexi, Caleb, Cheryl, Dave, Doogan, Gersh, GrossJr, Lazarow, Lohse, Lynch, RDoc, Rikey, Scoot, and Teddy) have Mizzou in the finals – though, interestingly, all 15 have them losing there.  Throw in Bry, Mac, and PapaCim, who have them upsetting Ole Miss and that is 18 people with a semifinalist at stake in this one tonight.

Missouri 63 – Texas A&M 50
Alex Oriahki had a double-double for the Tigers, and the Aggies season ends with their 24% shooting performance.  The Tigers move on to a tasty Friday quarterfinal date with Ole Miss.

J misses a lone upset pick here, while 15 people keep alive a finalist.

OPENING ROUND (March 13th – 5 points)

#11 Texas A&M vs #14 Auburn
If you haven’t seen A&M play this year, you’re missing out on one of the better unknown talents in the country.  Elston Turner is really, really good.  But, the rest of the team is not, and with the great Mark Turgeon now coaching Maryland, lack of talent can’t be hidden in College Station anymore.  How about Auburn?  Remember when they were good?  Na, me neither.  That one amazing season with all the JUCOs notwithstanding, this program hasn’t been much of anything since Sir Charles was drafted by the 76ers.  The winner of this game will take their shot at #6 Missouri on Thursday.

Six people (Bry, Dave, Doogan, GrossSr, PapaCim, and Waters) took a shot with Auburn here, though none have them beating Mizzou.  J has the most at stake with A&M, as he has them beating the Tigers tomorrow to reach the quarters.

Texas A&M 71 – Auburn 62
Elston Turner scored 22 points with a broken pinkie, and A&M controlled this first round game all night, ending a forgettable season for Auburn and setting up a matchup with Mizzou for the Aggies.

Six people missed the upset pick, while J keeps alive a quarterfinalist.

#12 South Carolina vs #13 Mississippi St.
I love Frank Martin.  I don’t care what anyone says, I’d let Frank Martin coach my favorite team any day.  He brings toughness, defense, commitment, and effort to every second of every game and probably every practice.  Unfortunately, he didn’t bring any players when he made the abrupt decision to leave K-State this offseason and head to South Carolina.  There is absolutely no one on this roster, but give Martin a couple seasons and this team will be good.  But, what is most indicative of the atrociousness of the SEC this year is the Mississippi St. didn’t even finish in last place.  This Bulldog team is even more dreadful than it’s first round opponent on Wednesday.  In fact, why don’t we just call this game the Reasons Why Ole Miss Is On The Bubble Bowl because wins over the Rebels are the only good things on the resumes of these two teams.  The non-loser of this game will play #5 Tennessee in the quarters on Thursday.

Caleb, Cheryl, GrossSr, Mac, and Primm took MSU in the mild upset here, with Mac and Primm both taking the ‘Dogs to beat Tennessee.  None of the 19 people who took USC here have them beating the Vols.

Mississippi St. 70 – South Carolina 59
MSU has won three of their last four after a 13-game losing streak, and they dominate USC Wednesday night, ending the first Gamecock season for Frank Martin.  MSU moves on to face Tennessee in the second round.

Caleb, Cheryl, GrossSr, Mac, and Primm hit this mild upset, with Mac and Primm in line for a possible big upset in the next round.

CTC UPDATE

Championship Picks

• #1 Florida (12)
• #2 Kentucky (1)
• #3 Ole Miss (2)
• #4 Alabama (-)
• #5 Tennessee (1)
• #6 Missouri (5)

Biggest Upsets

• R1 – #14 Auburn (Alex, Bry, Dave, Doogan, PapaCim & Waters)
• R2 – #13 Mississippi St. (Mac & Primm)
• QF – #10 Vanderbilt (Cheryl, Doogan, Gersh & Teddy)
• SF – #6 Missouri (many)
• Champ – #6 Missouri (Caleb, Doogan, Lohse, Lynch & Scoot)

Previous CTC Champions

• 2008 – Waters
• 2009 – Alexi
• 2010 – Alexi
• 2011 – Rikey (perfect)
• 2012 – Mac

2013 Scores

1. Primm (’13) – 300
2. Stumpf – 260
3. Gersh – 245
4. Cheryl – 235
5. GrossSr – 225
6. Teddy – 225
7. Doogan – 200
8. Alex – 145
9. LohseJr – 145
10. Scoot – 145
11. Bry – 140
12. Dave – 140
13. J – 130
14. GrossJr – 125
15. Rikey – 125 (’11*)
16. Caleb – 115
17. Lohse – 105
18. Lynch – 105
19. Mac – 105 (’12)
20. RDoc – 105
21. PapaCim – 100
22. Waters – 100 (’08)
23. Alexi – 85 (’09, ’10)
24. Lazarow – 45