1942 SEC Championship: why wasn’t it Tennessee?

[NighthawkVol]

I asked this question last year. Got no answer. I’ll try again.

In the 1941-42 season, Tennessee had the best record in the SEC. Yet, Kentucky was named the SEC champion (with the 3rd best record after Alabama). Kentucky then won the SEC Tournament, to win both the regular season championship and the tournament championship.

Why was Kentucky named the regular season champion with the 3rd best record? Here’s a link to the standings.

1941-42 Men's Southeastern Conference Season Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

1941-42 Men's Southeastern Conference Season Summary

www.sports-reference.com

 

[NighthawkVol]

I asked this question last year. Got no answer. I’ll try again.

In the 1941-42 season, Tennessee had the best record in the SEC. Yet, Kentucky was named the SEC champion (with the 3rd best record after Alabama). Kentucky then won the SEC Tournament, to win both the regular season championship and the tournament championship.

Why was Kentucky named the regular season champion with the 3rd best record? Here’s a link to the standings.

1941-42 Men's Southeastern Conference Season Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

1941-42 Men's Southeastern Conference Season Summary

www.sports-reference.com

This was Tennessee’s schedule. Split with Kentucky, winning by 6 in Knoxville and losing by 3 in Lexington.

 

[PandamoniumReigns]

Because it's Kentucky

 

[VolCalls]

Could have something to do with WWII.

 

[adam.vol]

Could have something to do with WWII.

Maybe we were on probation. Maybe we didn’t meet minimum requirements.. I had never heard of it.

 

[first time caller]

Good question. Tennessee was 7-1, Kentucky was 6-2, and Alabama was 13-4 in conference play. Why did Alabama play 17 conference games vs 8? Makes no sense.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I think Tennessee should tell the SEC they’re claiming it.

 

[volroadwarrior]

ESPN hates us

 

[VOLLeeann]

In the 1941-42 season, Tennessee had the best record in the SEC. Yet, Kentucky was named the SEC champion (with the 3rd best record after Alabama). Kentucky then won the SEC Tournament, to win both the regular season championship and the tournament championship. Why was Kentucky named the regular season champion with the 3rd best record?

We shot the ball with one hand and it was deemed cheating (internally of course).

 

[NighthawkVol]

Maybe we were on probation. Maybe we didn’t meet minimum requirements.. I had never heard of it.

We were not on probation. We played the same number of games as Kentucky.

 

[NighthawkVol]

It’s weird that there is no explanation anywhere to be found. Who would know the answer to this? @bleedingTNorange @Stoerner Fumbles

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Not sure how Kentucky got it, but looking at the records I’m not sure how they could even crown a champion with Tennessee and Kentucky playing 8 SEC games and Alabama playing 17.

The following season we won the regular season and the tournament despite having the third best conference record. Kentucky had the best and didn’t win the regular season. It really made no sense how they did things.