they were #1 for 10 straight weeks in the AP, but they ended up losing 3 of their last 4 games after locking up the SEC reg season. They lost at Vandy by 10, a team they had beaten by 10 earlier in the season. Then they lost at LSU and only put up 56 points. Then they lost handily at Tennessee (BP). Generally they played really bad to end the season.
They did tighten up and win the SECT, but only had to play middling teams (beat an Arky team in the championship that didn't even make the NCAAT).
Anyways they refocused after a sloppy end to the season and ended up marching thru the big dance to win their 2nd natty in 2 seasons. Interestingly their closest game was a 2nd round 74-67 win over #9 seed Purdue.
Point being, there is a precedent for a #1 team faltering down the stretch but getting their shit together and flipping that switch to win a natty.
They did tighten up and win the SECT, but only had to play middling teams (beat an Arky team in the championship that didn't even make the NCAAT).
Anyways they refocused after a sloppy end to the season and ended up marching thru the big dance to win their 2nd natty in 2 seasons. Interestingly their closest game was a 2nd round 74-67 win over #9 seed Purdue.
Point being, there is a precedent for a #1 team faltering down the stretch but getting their shit together and flipping that switch to win a natty.
