Handicapping the race for the SEC Basketball Title

Current SEC Standings (Strength of Schedule to Date / Remaining Strength of Schedule)
1. Alabama (9-0) (#3 / #14)
2. LSU (6-3) (#14 / #2)
3. Florida (5-3) (#8 / #13)
3. Tennessee (5-3) (#10 / #10)
5. Missouri (4-3) (#7 / #11)
6. Arkansas (4-4) (#5 / #9)
6. Kentucky (4-4) (#6 / #6)

- Alabama has played the #3 hardest schedule and has the easiest remaining schedule with a 3 game advantage with 9 to play and head to head advantages with Florida and Tennessee. Tough games remaining are LSU, @ Mizzou, @ Arky, @ State, AUB. Obviously numbers would say they are in the drivers seat, but nobody in Tuscaloosa will feel good until the magic number reaches 0.

- LSU has played the easiest SEC schedule to date (UGA, USC, A&M 2x) and has the #2 hardest the rest of the way (@ Bama, UF, @ State, VOLS, AUB, @ Arky, @ MIZ). It's hard to see a way that they can finish with less than 5 SEC losses (which is probably the target). They'd probably have to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa or they would be an extra game back in the loss column.

- Florida seems like the team with the best chance to challenge - they are playing well and have the #2 easiest schedule down the stretch. Have to imagine they need to go 8-2 down the stretch to have a real shot (@ LSU, @ VOLS, @ Arky, @ AUB, @ UK, MIZ). They would lose the head to head with Alabama, so in reality they are 4 back in the loss column.

- Tennessee is also 3 games back (4 in reality), but has played very average to poorly the last few weeks. Their remaining schedule includes @ Ole Miss, @ UK, Florida, @ LSU, UK and @ AUB. They would probably need to finish 8-2.

- Missouri lost their 3rd game last night @ Auburn. They have a home game with Alabama coming up, which could give them head to head. They also are in the unique spot of only having 16 scheduled SEC games due to COVID cancellations with LSU and Vanderbilt, so that could make the math of it interesting. Their remaining tough games are UK, Bama, @ OM, Arky, @ Fla.