As most know, the annual NCAA basketball tournament is just a couple weeks away and now is the time to start examining who will make it and whose season will come to an end. Taking a look at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) there are currently eight teams projected to go dancing in the second week of March when the tournament tips off. According to Joe Lunardi, an expert college basketball analyst for ESPN, he projects the SEC will earn eight bids in this year's Big Dance. One of those bids will, of course, be the conference champion, who earns an automatic bid, but the other seven will be at-large bids, meaning they will be selected by the committee.

Of course, there are a few others that can play their way into the tournament by ending the season strong and by making a deep run in the SEC tournament next week.

Teams that should be locked in

Auburn Tigers: 24-6 (12-5)

The Tigers burst onto the scene this year and will likely wrap up the regular season with the No. 1 seed in the SEC. They have struggled as of lately, so it remains to be seen if they will pose a real threat in the conference tournament or the NCAA tournament. Regardless, they have done more than enough to earn a bid.

Tennessee Volunteers: 22-7 (12-5)

The Volunteers are another team that has surprised a lot of people with how good they are this season. They have had recent success in the tournament and this year will be no different as they are a lock.

Kentucky Wildcats: 20-9 (9-7)

This has been a slightly disappointing year for a team who usually dominates the SEC. Nonetheless, they have an amazing coach and will be ready to play in March.

Florida Gators: 19-11 (10-7)

The Gators picked up a huge win this past weekend over Auburn, which puts them in third place in the standings.

The importance of this is it will allow them to earn a double-bye next week in the conference tournament.

Texas A&M Aggies: 18-11 (7-9)

Even though they have a losing record in the conference, key wins over Auburn and Kentucky should help push them into the field of 68.

Arkansas Razorbacks: 21-9 (10-7)

The Razorbacks were able to upset Auburn this week, so as long as they do not get upset in the SEC tournament, they should be in.

Missouri Tigers: 19-11 (9-8)

Having lost their potential superstar the first game of the season, they still have managed to have an impressive season. With talks that Michael Porter Jr. will be back by next week for the conference tournament it definitely puts the Tigers on the map as a team that can make a run.

Teams that may need to do a little more work

Alabama Crimson Tide: 17-13 (8-9)

The Tide are projected to be in by Joe Lunardi, however, I do not think they have done quite enough to say the same. While they do have a few quality wins, they also have some bad losses. For the Crimson Tide to make an appearance in mid-March they need to win at least one game in the SEC tournament.

Georgia Bulldogs: 16-12 (7-9)

The Dawgs have been in a lot of close games this season, but have been unable to finish many of those games.

Their quality wins have come over St. Mary's, Florida twice, and Tennessee at home. If Georgia can finish the season with wins over Texas A&M, Tennessee, and two wins in the SEC tournament they should accumulate enough to impress the committee and earn a spot in the field.

Mississippi State Bulldogs: 21-9 (9-8)

The Bulldogs have a good record but are lacking some of the quality wins necessary to being selected. If they can win one or two games in the conference tournament, they should hear their name called on Selection Sunday.

LSU Tigers: 16-12 (7-9)

The Tigers' tournament chances took a big hit when they lost to Georgia this past Saturday (Feb. 24). For LSU to have a chance to make the tournament, they need to make it to at least the finals of the SEC tournament.

Win and you are in

For the following teams, the only way they can hope to get a bid is by winning the conference championship.

Ole Miss Rebels: 12-17 (5-11)

Vanderbilt Commodores: 11-19 (5-12)

South Carolina Gamecocks: 15-14 (6-10)
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