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5 SEC Teams That Are On the 2015 NCAA Tournament Bubble Entering February

5 SEC Teams That Are On the 2015 NCAA Tournament Bubble Entering February

John Calipari Kentucky
Mark Zerof - USA TODAY Sports

John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats have nothing to worry about in terms of making this year's tournament other than which region they'll play. With the SEC having a much more competitive non-conference year and SOS, they could very well be joined by more teams than in years past. Take a look at these five SEC teams currently on the 2015 NCAA Tournament bubble heading into February.

5. Florida Gators - (10-9, 3-3 SEC)

Billy Donovan Florida
Steve Mitchell - USA TODAY Sports

5. Florida Gators - (10-9, 3-3 SEC)

Billy Donovan Florida
Steve Mitchell - USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Gators' name alone may be the only reason they're considered on this list as a bubble team. The way they've played thus far, they are shaping up to being Billy Donovan's worst team probably since his first two years in Gainesville. Donovan is an elite coach and has enough talent on his team to turn it around to make a late run.

4. Georgia Bulldogs - (13-5, 4-2 SEC)

Mark Fox Georgia Players
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

4. Georgia Bulldogs - (13-5, 4-2 SEC)

Mark Fox Georgia Players
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia Bulldogs were right in giving Mark Fox the time to build this team into postseason contenders. With non-conference wins against Seton Hall and Kansas State, they have shown the ability to compete against other conferences as well as only losing two tough games in conference to Arkansas and LSU. Currently, the Bulldogs have an impressive RPI of 25, which is more than good enough to make the tournament.

3. Tennessee Vols - (12-6, 4-2 SEC)

Josh Richardson Tennessee
Randy Sartin - USA TODAY Sports

3. Tennessee Vols - (12-6, 4-2 SEC)

Josh Richardson Tennessee
Randy Sartin - USA TODAY Sports

The Vols are down two key players this year in Jordan McRae and Jarnell Stokes, however, they still have Josh Richardson who has more than relished the moment of being the go-to player. With an early victory over the Butler Bulldogs, the Vols have positioned themselves to make another tournament appearance under new coach Donnie Tyndall.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide - (13-6, 3-3 SEC)

Anthony Grant Alabama
Randy Sartin - USA TODAY Sports

2. Alabama Crimson Tide - (13-6, 3-3 SEC)

Anthony Grant Alabama
Randy Sartin - USA TODAY Sports

The time to win is now for Anthony Grant and the Crimson Tide as the sixth-year head coach has not made it to the tournament since 2012 and had a terrible season last year in which the Tide finished 13-19 with zero wins on the road. This year they have fared much better, and had they pulled off the upset against Wichita State earlier this season, they would not be in this conversation now. The Tide currently have a RPI of 49 and SOS of 40.

1. LSU Tigers - (15-4, 4-2 SEC)

Jordan Mickey LSU
Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports

1. LSU Tigers - (15-4, 4-2 SEC)

Jordan Mickey LSU
Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports

As things stand now, the Tigers will make the tournament. The only reason they make this list is because the SEC is known for being shafted come tournament time, and the teams below Florida don't deserve to be mentioned as possible bubble teams. LSU impressed with a victory over WVU earlier this season, and Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are two studs the NCAA selection committee will love to see in March.

Brandon Williams is an Atlanta Braves writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter, @BfreshAlum4UA, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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