RACE TO THE FINISH: UK, Florida, South Carolina fighting for SEC crown
Kentucky, Florida and South Carolina are the top dogs in the SEC this year. They're the league's three NCAA Tournament locks.
They're also the three teams that have a chance to win the SEC's regular season championship.
Cats Illustrated takes a look at what each of those three teams have remaining in the regular season with a conference title on the line.
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Remaining SEC schedules for contenders
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KENTUCKY (11-2)
With five league games remaining Kentucky must navigate a schedule that includes Florida (in Rupp) and three road games.
Nobody will expect Kentucky to lose on the road at Missouri (2-10 SEC) but trips to Georgia and Texas A&M could require solid efforts, even though both teams are under .500 in league play. Georgia nearly knocked off Kentucky in Rupp Arena earlier this year and in spite of Kentucky's blowout of the Aggies in Lexington, Billy Kennedy's program has played the Cats tough in the past.
The game between Kentucky and Florida on February 25th not only gives Kentucky a chance to even the season series and get a leg up in the conference race, but it gives the Cats arguably their last regular season opportunity for a seed-impacting quality win.
FLORIDA (11-2)
The Gators have a league record identical to Kentucky's and they beat the Cats by 22 points in Gainesville. However, they must travel to Rupp Arena, where Kentucky will be the likely favorite.
Florida must also play South Carolina (10-2 SEC) but they get the Gamecocks at home. South Carolina beat Florida 57-53 in Columbia, S.C., earlier this year.
The Gators don't have a road game still on the schedule that's as easy, on paper, as Kentucky's trip to Missouri. But Florida should be solid favorites in both of their remaining road games against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
SOUTH CAROLINA (10-2)
The Gamecocks play host to Arkansas (18-7, 7-5 SEC) tonight, and that's a huge game for the Razorbacks, who still hope to play their way into the NCAA Tournament.
Of the league's three contenders for the regular season crown South Carolina probably has the toughest remaining schedule. They have to travel to Florida, which won't be easy, and they must also travel to Oxford, Miss., to take on a Rebel team that's 7-6 in the league. They'll also travel to Vanderbilt and get Tennessee and Mississippi State at home.
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