Alabama and Auburn both have first round byes in the SEC tournamen

The Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will begin on Wednesday, but don't expect to see Alabama and Auburn play on the first day. Both received first round byes.

Auburn is the number four seed in the tournament and will play the winner of the game four game. Auburn plays on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CDT. Vanderbilt will play Arkansas on Wednesday and then the winner of that game will play South Carolina on Thursday for the opportunity to advance to play Auburn on Friday. That game will be televised on ESPN.

Alabama is the number three seed in the tournament and will play the winner of the game 6 game. Alabama plays the game six winner on Friday at 8:30 p.m. CDT. Missouri will play Georgia on Wednesday. The winner of that game will advance to play Florida on Thursday. The winner will advance to play Alabama. That game will be televised on the SEC Network.

With a win Alabama and Auburn can advance to the SEC tournament semifinals on Saturday. They would only play each other if they both advance to the SEC championship game on Sunday.

Kentucky is the number two seed in the tournament while Tennessee is the number one seed.

This year's tournament is in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena.

Auburn finished the regular season on Saturday with a win over Georgia 92 to 78.

Auburn finished the regular season 13 and 5 in the conference and 24 and 7 overall.

Auburn is coached by Bruce Pearl.

Alabama finished the regular season 13 and 5 in SEC play and 21 and 10 overall.

Alabama is coached by Nate Oats.

Alabama finished the regular season on Saturday with a win over Arkansas 92 to 88.

Tennessee was 14 and 4 in conference play, while Kentucky was 13 and 5.

This will be the last SEC tournament with this format as Oklahoma and Texas will be joining the conference next year.

Alabama and Auburn are both well positioned to make the NCAA tournament; but an SEC tournament championship would both improve their seeding and make them an automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament. The teams invited to the NCAA tournament will be announced on Sunday evening.

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