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2024 SEC Basketball Predictions with Futures Odds

by Matt Zitt - 1/9/2024

SEC basketball predictions Zakai Zeigler Tennessee Volunteers

Last season, the SEC sent the most teams into the NCAA Tournament, with eight programs participating. This season should be more of the same, as the competition within the SEC is some of the best in the entire country. The regular season conference title is up for grabs, as six teams have less than 20-1 odds to be crowned a champion. The biggest SEC storyline must be the Kentucky Wildcats and John Calipari. Could Calipari’s job be on the hot seat? UK has not made the Sweet 16 since 2019 or a Final Four since 2015 despite having a top-two recruiting class in eight of the last nine seasons. The pressure on Kentucky should add to an exciting SEC race down the stretch. Doc’s Sports will break down some of the best picks to win the SEC title this year.

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

Tennessee +230

The Vols have started SEC play with a 1-0 record and have returned three of their top four scorers from last year – Santiago Vescovi, Zakai Zeigler, and Josiah-Jordan James. Tennessee finished tied for fourth in the SEC last year and secured a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They have a great coach in Rick Barnes, who enters his ninth year for the Vols after spending 17 seasons at Texas. The real difference-maker here will be the health and progression of Ziegler after tearing his ACL last February. He currently is averaging a click over eight points a game and when he played well last year, they were good enough to beat anyone in the country. The Vols are currently ranked 5th in the country and are a solid selection to win the SEC title.

Auburn +270

The Tigers are off to a hot start at 12-2 and 1-0 is SEC play, while ranking 16th in the country. Bruce Pearl has turned the program into a legitimate contender every season, and Neville Arena is one of the best home court advantages in college basketball. It’s like the Seahawks with the 12th man. Pearl’s Tigers have advanced in four of the past five NCAA Tournaments, including the program's first Final Four appearance in 2019. Auburn returned all-league forward Johni Broome, and the arrival of five-star guard Aden Holloway gives the Tigers one of the best 1-5 combos in the SEC. Look for Pearl and company to have another stellar season.

Kentucky +430

Calipari finds his Wildcats ranked 6th in the country, and no coach will be under more pressure this year than him. Kentucky fans expect to win championships, and they have failed to reach a Final Four in eight straight years. The offense has been solid so far, averaging over 90 points a game. Winning the SEC will be determined by the freshmen class like Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, and Aaron Bradshaw. There is no denying they have the talent to be one of the best teams in the country and SEC. However, can Calipari get the best out of this team down the stretch? Only time will tell.

Texas A&M +1000

Buzz Williams has taken three different programs to the NCAA Tournament after taking the Aggies there last season after posting a 15-3 record in the SEC. They have been slow out the gate with a 9-5 record and 0-1 in SEC play. Four starters from last year’s team are back, including Wade Taylor IV, who is averaging over 18 points per game this season. A&M will look to win their first conference title since 2016.

My Pick: Auburn

 SEC Odds

Tennessee +230

Auburn +270

Kentucky +430

Alabama +550

Texas A&M +1000

Florida +1900

Mississippi State +2600

Arkansas +3400

Ole Miss +4000

LSU +6000

Georgia +6000

South Carolina +9500

Missouri +9500

Vanderbilt +25000

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