Conference Tournament Preview VIII (SEC, ACC)

SEC

Team to beat: Florida — The defending national champs are still the heavy favorite in the SEC tourney. They have been there, done that are will try and put together another winning streak entering the NCAA tournament.

Sleeper: Kentucky - The all-time greatest program has had some rough times in the past 7 games. But they did win 11 in a row this past winter. There are 2 McDonalds All-Americans on the team. And Tubby is an elite coach. If anyone in the country can pull of 4 games in a row because of his coaching, its Tubby Smith.

Prediction: Florida — The Gators have looked good except for 4 games this year. 2 games were when players were out sick or injured. They look like a well-oiled machine.


Tournament Schedule
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga. All Times EST

Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: Alabama vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Game 2: So. Car. vs. Arkansas, 3:15 p.m.
Game 3: Georgia vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: LSU vs. Tennessee, 9:45 p.m

Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Miss. State 1 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Ole Miss 9:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m.

Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida
Rookie of the Year: Jodie Meeks, 6-5 200 G, Kentucky.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt

All-SEC team
Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida — 13 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 rpg
Chris Lofton, 6-2, 200, G, Jr., Tennessee — 20.6 ppg, 3 rpg
Randolph Morris 6'10 260 C. Jr Kentucky - 15.3 ppg. 7.3 rpg 2.1 bpg, 1.1 apg. 59% FG%
Al. Horford, 6-10, 245, F, Jr., Florida — 13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Derrick Byars, 6-7, 230, G/F, Sr., Vanderbilt — 16.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg

ACC

Team to beat: North Carolina — Whether Tyler Hansbrough is wearing a mask of not doesn't really matter. The Tar Heels are still the most talented team in the league and maybe in America. They just need to get it going soon or else it's going to be too late.

Sleeper: Georgia Tech — It'll be difficult to win four straight games, but the Yellow Jackets are finally playing well. Led by freshmen Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young, Paul Hewitt's team has a chance to reach the final game. Especially in the bracket they are in.

Prediction: North Carolina — The Tar Heels will be a team on a mission after Hansbrough suffered a broken nose this past weekend. They won't cruise through, but they WILL WIN the ACC tournament in Tampa.

Tournament Schedule
at St. Petersburg Times Forum, Tampa, Fla. All Times EST

Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Florida State, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 Miami, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Duke vs. No. 10 N.C. State, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Georgia Tech vs. No. 11 Wake Forest, 9 p.m.

Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 North Carolina vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Boston College vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Virginia vs. Game 3 winner, 7 p.m
Game 8: No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m

Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1:30 p.m. ET
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m. ESPN

Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College
Rookie of the Year: Brandan Wright, 6-9, 205, F, Fr.,
North Carolina Coach of the Year: Dave Leitao, Virginia

All-ACC team
Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College — 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3 apg
Tyler Hansbrough, 6-9, 245, F, Soph., North Carolina — 18.8 ppg, 8 rpg
Al Thornton, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Florida State — 20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Sean Singletary, 6-0, 185, G, Jr., Virginia — 18.8 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.5 rpg
Zabian Dowdell, 6-3, 190, G, Sr., Virginia Tech — 18.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg