Southeastern Conference coaches believe the depth of their league should give all 14 teams reason to believe they could win the postseason tournament that starts Wednesday in St. Louis.
“You just never know,” Alabama coach Avery Johnson said. “I wouldn’t be surprised by anything that happens in the tournament because of how balanced the league is.”
The standings reflect that balance.
No. 13 Tennessee and No. 16 Auburn tied for first place with 13-5 conference records, matching the highest loss total for any SEC champion in league history. Every team in the SEC won at least five conference games, the first time that’s happened since 1988.
“After going through this league, I think I could tell any team in this league, ‘We have a chance if we’re willing to do what we need to do,’ ” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “I really believe that. There’s not a team in this league that can’t do it.”