Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Jay Williams Names SEC Powerhouse Who Can't Win a Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nazario Pangallo | Last updated Mar 15, 2025 6:53 PM ET

Although the SEC has typically been touted as the top conference in college football, it has made a serious push this season to solidify itself as the best conference in college basketball. The conference tournament, which is being played in Nashville, has pitted four of the top six teams in the KenPom rankings in the semifinals.

On ESPN's College GameDay of the semifinal matchups between No. 1 seed Auburn and No. 4 Tennessee and No. 3 seed Alabama against No. 2 seed Florida, college basketball analyst Jay Williams believes one of the four teams is not like the rest.

"Florida is a team that can win a National Championship," Williams said. "I do not think Alabama can, I think their guards are a little bit smaller. That's just my point of view."

Williams did give credit for what is he seeing from one Alabama player.

"Watching the maturation of (Alabama guard) Labaron Philon, I mean he is an absolute dude," Williams said. "It takes so much pressure off (Tide guard) Mark Sears, cause Mark Sears can do so much off the dribble penetration, but Philon's ability to start knocking down shots and just the poise he's playing with makes it such a lethal backcourt."

Against Kentucky on Friday night, Philon tied his season high with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting including a 3-pointer. The freshman point guard also had four assists and three steals.

The Crimson Tide will find out its seeding and first-round matchup for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: