The closing stretch of the season is going to be full of drama, with several teams still vying for positioning in the standings. The remaining schedules of teams like Ky, Alabama, Ole Miss, Vandy, and Tennessee are all crucial in determining who will come out on top in the race for the top spots in the conference. The results of these games will have major implications, and it’s tough to decide who to root for, especially when you’re not sure who will benefit you more in the long run.
Starting with Ky, their road to the finish line is incredibly challenging. With three heavy hitters—LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina still on the schedule—they’re looking at the toughest finish. If they lose all three of these games, they’d end up 10-6, a solid record, but likely not enough to push them higher than the middle of the pack. It’s hard to see them sweeping this slate, given the competition they’re facing, so 10-6 seems like the most realistic scenario for them.
On the flip side, Alabama’s schedule, though tough, might be slightly more manageable. They’ve got Auburn, LSU, and Oklahoma left. If they win two of these games, they too could finish with a 10-6 record, potentially tied with Ky. The matchup with Oklahoma is especially interesting—if Alabama wins that, it could give them an edge in the standings. But with LSU and Auburn also on the schedule, the Crimson Tide will need to bring their best basketball to make it through unscathed.
Speaking of Oklahoma, they’re in a great position to close strong. With Arkansas, Florida, and Alabama left on the docket, the Sooners could realistically sweep these games, which would give them an 11-5 record and likely move them into the fourth spot in the standings. That could be a huge boost, as it would not only solidify their position but also potentially improve their seeding in any postseason tournament. The key to this is going to be handling the pressure in those matchups—Oklahoma will need to keep its focus and execute well to secure the victories they need.
Ole Miss has a slightly more uphill climb. With games against Missouri, South Carolina, and LSU, it’s hard to see them sweeping these contests. A 1-2 finish here seems like the most likely scenario, which would leave them at 9-7. That’s still a solid record, but it may not be enough to break into the top tier. If Ole Miss wants to make a serious run at the postseason, they’ll have to pull off at least one major upset and possibly finish with a 2-1 record here.
Vanderbilt, with games against South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Missouri, is also hoping to finish strong. If they can take two of three, they’d end up 8-8, which could be enough to get them into the postseason discussion, depending on the outcomes of other teams. While they may not be among the elite teams, finishing at .500 in conference play would be an encouraging result for them.
Then there’s Tennessee, which has a chance to finish strong as well. With games against Florida, Kentucky, and Georgia, the Lady Vols could potentially sweep these contests, finishing 10-6 and tying with Oklahoma and Kentucky for a spot in the upper half of the standings. That would set them up nicely as they head into the postseason, especially if they can carry some momentum into the final stretch.
As for who to root for between Oklahoma and Alabama, that’s a tough call. On one hand, Alabama is always a strong contender and has a deep roster. On the other hand, Oklahoma is in a great position to finish strong, and rooting for them to sweep their remaining games could give them an edge in securing that coveted fourth spot. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you’d prefer a more established team like Alabama to advance or take a chance on Oklahoma making a run to 11-5. Both teams have their strengths, but with Oklahoma’s schedule, they seem like the better bet to finish strong.
At the end of the day, it’s a matter of what positioning benefits your team the most. Regardless of who wins, the competition in the conference will make for an exciting finish, with plenty of unpredictable outcomes. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a wild ride!
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