What: SEC Tournament
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
How: Game by Game listed on Article Image above.

With the regular season over, it's time to look at LSU's SEC Tournament chances, what's at stake, and possible opponents. LSU has as much to gain from this tournament as any other team and will be hard pressed to perform well.

LSU's Chances:

If you're asking what LSU needs to do to make the NCAA Tournament it's easy; win it all. LSU can still make the NCAA Tournament using the SEC's automatic bid given to the winner of the SEC Tournament.

It is a little more difficult if you are asking about the NIT. Before the SEC Tournament LSU is projecting around a 6 seed (NIT has 4 brackets of 1-8 seeds). This means that if LSU lost in the first round to Alabama, and other bubble NIT teams win, LSU could be left out for the second straight year.

I personally believe LSU will be invited to the NIT even if they lose their opener, but the Tiger's don't want to leave this to chance. A win versus Alabama, and a good game versus Kentucky should have LSU in with no problems.

The NIT gives automatic bids to teams that win the regular season but lose their tournaments. This can become a major issue if smaller conference favorites lose their tournament, so LSU needs the upsets held to a minimum.

Regular Season Champs that could steal NIT Bids:

Miss Valley St (SWAC), Savannah St (MEAC), Stony Brook (AEC), Montana (BSKY), Lamar (Southland), UNC-A (BSouth), LIU Brooklyn (NEC), Davidson (Southern), Bucknell (partiot), Long Beach St (BWest), Middle Tennessee (SunBelt), Oral Roberts (Summit), Harvard (Ivy), Belmont (ASC), Akron (MAC), Drexel (CAA), Valpariso (Horizon), Nevada (WAC).

Some other teams to watch that could pass up LSU:

Oregon State, Akron, Texas A&M, UNLV, Indiana St., San Francisco, Buffalo, Ole Miss, Towson, Wake Forest, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Vermont, Richmond, UTEP, Iona, High Point, Davidson, Florida Gulf Coast

What's at Stake:

I know the NIT isn't "sexy", however there is some good to the tournament. No 2014-2015 Returning player has had any postseason experience besides a 96-76 NIT road loss to Oregon in 2012. Postseason experience would be beneficial to get players ready for a postseason environment for next year.

The NIT gives teams the opportunity to have in-season practices for extended time. The NCAA limits practice time more in the off-season so being able to work with your players for extended time is helpful. The NIT Final is April 3rd in Madison Square Garden. That means LSU could be looking at 3 extra weeks of practice and an opportunity to play in one of basketball's most cherished venues.

Road to SEC Title:

Alabama

Previous Meeting(s):
Alabama 82, LSU 80 (away)

In these two's first meeting, LSU came out slow. They scored only 23 first half points before scoring 57 in the second half. They had an opportunity to win this game with the final shot that did not fall.

Alabama hit 50% of their three pointers, and made 20 free throws. Those are two spots that LSU will have to clean up if they plan on beating Alabama this time around. Trevor Releford really killed the Tigers with 21 points and 4 assists. LSU has to prevent him from getting into the paint. LSU is also going to have to guard Cooper much better. He had some good looks from three and made 4 of 5.

LSU was able to get going on offense with a balanced attack. It will be important that LSU gets production from each of their players. Jarell Martin has been much improved since our first meeting with Alabama and he could be key in changing the result of this one. LSU cannot settle for guarded three's and needs to try and get some minutes from the bench. LSU used the press to get back into the game in January, but with a limited bench and games in successive days, LSU doesn't want to have to use the press unless absolutely necessary.

This is LSU's easiest game of the tournament so they need to take advantage and beat Bama.

Prediction:
LSU 71, Alabama 61

Kentucky

Previous Meetings(s):
LSU 87, Kentucky 82 (home)
Kentucky 77, LSU 76 (away)

Kentucky is a team that LSU matches up well against. LSU won convincingly at home before falling on the road by 1 point in overtime on a last second Kentucky putback. Johnny O'Bryant scored 49 points against UK in the regular season after going for 29 in their first meeting and 20 in the second. Anthony Hickey had a 14:1 Ast:TO ratio against the Wildcats.

Kentucky comes into the tournament losing 3 of their last 4 and really need a win to get going before the NCAA Tournament. Still, LSU could give them a good run for their money.

Hopefully LSU is able to rest some guys in the Alabama game and will be able to have the strength and stamina to play UK hard. Last season LSU looked very tired in the second game of the SEC Tournament and they will need to be ready to compete this time around.

Prediction:
LSU 69, Kentucky 66

Georgia/Ole Miss

Previous Meeting(s):
Mississipi 88, LSU 74 OT (away)
Georgia 91, LSU 78 (away)
Georgia 69, LSU 61 (home)

If LSU is able to beat Alabama and UK, it likely sets up a game versus the winner of the Ole Miss vs Georgia Quarterfinal matchup. At this point, LSU would love to play Ole Miss (Or Vanderbilt/Mississippi St winner) but Georgia is playing some really good basketball right now.

This would be LSU's third game in three days and LSU has been playing only 7 players lately meaning these guys will be tired. I think the chance of LSU winning the Semifinal matchup would take one of LSU's most inspired performances in years. LSU will need to get some minutes out of Darcy Malone and John Odo to keep LSU fresh. If LSU is able to win this one it would likely setup a game versus #1 Florida. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.

Prediction:
Georgia 71, LSU 59

SEC Tournament Prediction:

Ken Pomeroy Log5 LSU Chances

To Make the:
Quarterfinals - 57.2%
Semifinals - 17.9%
Finals - 9.8%
Champs - 2.0%

This post was edited on 3/13/14 at 8:17 pm