I love college football, the NFL and even major league baseball. But, for me, none of them compare when it comes to tournament time in college basketball.

Once the seeds are set, it’s do or die. It’s one last chance for teams to win a championship. But “The Big Dance” doesn’t start for another week or so.

The SEC Tournament begins Thursday with Alabama and South Carolina at noon. Should be a good one considering UA beat the Gamecocks recently.

I guess anyone with half a brain knows Kentucky has to be the favorite to win the whole thing and I’ll have to agree. But with the way Tennessee has been playing and the fact the Vols handed the Wildcats their second loss of the season, Tennessee has to be a close second.

Bruce Pearl has done an outstanding job of coaching this season, especially when you consider the obstacles/problems Tennessee has had this season — suspensions, injuries.

But as everyone knows, tournament play is all about getting hot at the right time. So here are my predictions for the SEC Tournament.

THURSDAY GAMES

(Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt get first-round byes)

Game 1 winner: South Carolina — I actually had Alabama beating S.C. a few weeks ago but I just can’t see the Gamecocks losing twice to Alabama. But again, if the Tide can start hitting its shots, anything can happen.

Game 2 winner: Tennessee — Whatever happened to LSU? The Vols have too much talent for LSU to deal with.

Game 3 winner: Florida — The Gators are one of those teams to sneak into the finals.

Game 4 winner: Arkansas — The Razorbacks are simply better than the Bulldogs.

I’ll be back on Friday to brag about my Thursday picks or make excuses and also update my picks through the weekend.