The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. Every year, teams from the SEC battle it out to be crowned conference champion. This year, the men’s SEC basketball season came to a close with the Kentucky Wildcats taking home the championship title.
History of the SEC Basketball Championship
The SEC basketball tournament was first established in 1933 and has been a staple of the conference ever since. The tournament is held annually, usually in March, and determines the SEC champion. The winner of the tournament is then eligible to participate in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The tournament is composed of the top 12 teams in the conference, which are ranked based on their regular season record. Each team is seeded based on their ranking, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye. The tournament is then played out in a single-elimination format, with the championship game being held on the final day.
2020 Men’s SEC Basketball Tournament
The 2020 Men’s SEC basketball tournament was held from March 10-15, 2020 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament featured the conference’s top 12 teams, including the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats.
The tournament began with the first round on March 10, featuring matchups between the bottom four seeds. The quarterfinals took place on March 11, followed by the semifinals on March 12. The championship game between the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats and the second-seeded Auburn Tigers was held on March 15.
Kentucky Wildcats Win 2020 Men’s SEC Basketball Championship
The Kentucky Wildcats were crowned the 2020 Men’s SEC Basketball Champions after defeating the Auburn Tigers 80-76 in the championship game on March 15. The Wildcats were led by star players Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley, who both scored 20 points in the game.
The Wildcats had a strong showing throughout the tournament and were never really challenged. After defeating the eighth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels in the first round, they went on to easily defeat the fourth-seeded Florida Gators in the quarterfinals and the sixth-seeded LSU Tigers in the semifinals.
What This Win Means for the Wildcats
With their win, the Wildcats earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they are expected to be a top-seeded team. This is the seventh time the Wildcats have won the SEC Tournament in the last nine years.
The Wildcats are now one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament and will likely be considered one of the top teams in the country. The win also gives the Wildcats a chance to redeem themselves after their disappointing loss in the Elite 8 last year.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Wildcats are the 2020 Men’s SEC Basketball Champions. The Wildcats earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and are now one of the favorites to win it all. The Wildcats will look to use this win as a springboard to success in the NCAA Tournament and beyond.