Florida can clinch SEC Eastern Division, first-round bye by beating Georgia

A loss to Georgia on Thursday would not be devastating for Florida, but a win would put the Gators in prime position to win the conference.

A win over Georgia on Thursday would make Billy Donovan's life a lot easier. 

For starters, though, a win will guarantee Florida the top spot in the division and a first-round bye in the upcoming SEC tournament.

Here is a look at the current Eastern Division standings:

	Team	Rec.
1	Florida	10-2
2	Vanderbilt	8-5
4	Georgia	7-5
3	Kentucky	7-6
5	Tennessee	7-6
6	S. Carolina	5-8

If Florida beats Georgia, the worst the Gators can finish is 11-5. Vanderbilt is the only other team that can get to 11-5. Kentucky can do no better than 10-6 (same for Georgia under this scenario). Florida would have the tie-breaker advantage over Vanderbilt due to division record. The Gators would be 7-3; Vanderbilt would be 6-4.

Also, if Florida beats Georgia, the SEC regular season title would come down to the Gators, Vanderbilt and Alabama. Here are the current standings for those three:

	Team	Rec.
1	Alabama	11-2
2	Florida	10-2
3	Vanderbilt	8-5

The Gators remaining games are Thursday vs. Georgia, Saturday at Kentucky, Tuesday vs. Alabama and March 5 at Vanderbilt.

All of those scenarios, obviously, hinge on Florida beating Georgia. The Gators needed double overtime to beat the Bulldogs in Athens last month. Florida F Chandler Parsons, who sparked that victory with a late scoring burst, is hindered by a thigh bruise. Coach Billy Donovan said today Parsons likely will play, but won’t start.

If Florida loses and slips into an 0-4 tailspin to end the season, it risks dropping below second place in the division and then would have to place an extra game in the SEC tournament.

The SEC tournament begins March 10 in Atlanta.