Welcome to the Bulldawg Illustrated Hoops Report for the 2017 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament and Georgia versus Tennessee. While we’re not Bon Jovi fans in these parts because he’s a little soft, we’re “Livin’ on a Prayer” this week.
 
 
The Dawgs probably got the worst possible draw in regards to match-ups. I don’t like Tennessee in the opener without Yante Maten. While he fouled out of the last game against the Vols and we found a way to get it done, we did have him for 35 minutes and he helped keep things close. J.J. Frazier went bat-poop crazy after Maten went out and we got the one point win. If we get lucky enough to win at 1 p.m. on Thursday, we’re rewarded with No. 1 seed Kentucky at 1 p.m. on Friday.
 
 
Again, we proved we could hang with them twice. We led both games with under a minute to go. Once with Maten and once without him for 95% of the game. However, how many chances do you get to beat a team loaded with five-star, lottery pick athletes? They had six guys make the All-SEC teams. Eventually, you’re going to get blown out, at least conventional wisdom say so. Also, of note, only two teams have made the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament three straight years, UGA and UK. So that streak would end for someone. If we get through the first two games, the next match-up is unknown; although, No. 4 seed South Carolina is a possibility.
 
 
However, if Georgia does make it to the semifinals on Saturday, one thing does start to open up. If we win two, the Big Dance is almost a sure thing. The only thing that could derail that would be a bunch of conference tournament upsets. So needless to say, the season is truly on the line.
 
 
If we don’t win one or two games, the “Fire Fox” talk will start. However, that’s a debate for a later time. The Dawgs have two guys on the All-SEC first team, yet may not make the tournament. They have one of the most puzzling referee blunders in basketball history at College Station and five other heartbreaking losses. So there’s a lot to discuss at this point. All I know is in the game of real music, “It’s a Long Way to the Top” if “You Wanna Rock n Roll.” So let’s hope our guys are plugged in and cranked up come Thursday. I’ll be looking for a “Jailbreak.” Go Dawgs!!
 
 

 
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