GDW Analysis:
Through two rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament, the Southeastern Conference has made a good point in trying to survive "March Madness."
Seven schools have extended their season to the Sweet 16.
Everybody is aware the highly talented conference is well under the microscope as the SEC has almost 50 percent of the field remaining.
The SEC tournament champion Florida Gators, the regular season winner Auburn Tigers weathered the storm over the weekend.
No. 2 seeds Alabama and Tennessee have earned momentum, Kentucky is making a name for itself from being a 3 seed.
The lowest seeds from the conference to remain active is Ole Miss at No. 6 and Arkansas a 10 seed.
Each matchup in the Sweet 16 will be a case of giving everything and leaving nothing to spare.
Thursday:
Alabama vs. BYU 6:10 p.m. (Newark, NJ)
Florida vs. Maryland 6:40 p.m. (San Francisco)
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech 9:10 p.m. (San Francisco)
Friday:
Ole Miss vs. Michigan State 6:10 p.m. (Atlanta)
Tennessee vs. Kentucky 6:40 (Indianapolis)
Auburn vs. Michigan 8:40 (Atlanta) (92.1 FM)
Bama gets a 6 seed from the Big XII, Florida plays a 4 seed out of the Big Ten, Arkansas is up against a 3 seed from the Big XII.
For Auburn, the Tigers will try to avoid a defeat to 5 seed Michigan from the Big Ten.
Another Big Ten school, Michigan State, carries a 2 seed to this round in waiting to play Ole Miss.
The SEC battle in this round is No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Kentucky. No question, plenty of people from the Bluegrass State will make a short drive into Indianapolis.
Expectations:
Alabama and Auburn must maintain consistency. BYU is a dangerous game for Alabama as is Michigan meeting Auburn.
Arkansas is a long shot for being a 10 seed, but on a good run late in the season with John Calipari commanding the Razorbacks for the first time.
Florida was challenged by U'Conn and the SEC tournament winner knows that Maryland will want to break their hearts in San Francisco.
For viewership, Tennessee and Kentucky will be a delight. Mark Pope replacing Calipari and having Kentucky still in the fight.
Tennessee is talented as is each of the SEC participants now into the Round of 16.
Ole Miss is a team with potential and must overcome situations to remain alive and to extend their schedule into the weekend.
SEC basketball is getting itself recognized and for it to be known that this conference has a lot more than just one sport, known as football.
Bruce Pearl, Nate Oats, Rick Barnes, Calipari are among those that have earned quality on the bench.
Todd Golden at Florida, Chris Beard at Ole Miss and Pope with Kentucky are part of a group in which parity was well displayed in conference games this season.
This group of 7 has stood up to the challenge and now would love to have each regional to feature an SEC school for the weekend when it gets to the Elite Eight.
We will stand back and watch.
Photo of Auburn Tigers' Chad Baker-Mazara (10) shooting in NCAA 2nd round game vs. Creighton at Rupp Arena March 22.
Photo courtesy of Auburn basketball.
