The Florida Gators and the Ole Miss Rebels came into the SEC Tournament here in Atlanta needing to win games to earn an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

But after a lackadaisical performance by the Gators in an 80-69 loss to Alabama and an inspired performance by Georgia in a late-night 97-95 victory over the Rebels, Florida and Ole Miss now await invitations to the NIT on Sunday rather than NCAA dance cards.

Billy Donovan blasted his Gators following their loss for their less-than-inspired defensive play, while Kennedy applauded his players despite their loss to Georgia on a last second bank shot by Georgia senior forward Dave Bliss.

The Gators will be the first team to win a national championship and not return to the NCAA Tournament since Kansas failed to make the tournament the year after Danny Manning led the Jayhawks to the national title in 1988.

Filed under: SEC Basketball, Arkansas Basketball by Terry Wood. Posted on: March 14, 2008 at 8:08 am