The SEC has made its mark in college basketball history. In 2025, a remarkable 14 out of 16 teams from the Southeastern Conference secured spots in the men’s NCAA tournament. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by the Big East, which had 11 teams selected back in 2011.
Among the standout teams this season are Auburn and Florida, both clinching No. 1 seeds. Alabama and Tennessee are also in the spotlight as No. 2 seeds. In total, six SEC teams earned top four seeds, showcasing the depth and talent within the conference.
From the start of the season, the SEC demonstrated its strength. Before conference play began, SEC teams racked up an impressive 59-19 record against other power conferences. In fact, they triumphed in 89% of their non-conference matchups. Throughout the season, 14 teams found themselves ranked in the AP Top 25, reinforcing the SEC’s dominance.
It’s interesting to note that only two teams, South Carolina and LSU, did not qualify for the tournament, finishing with a combined record of 5-31 in conference play. In contrast, every other SEC team maintained a winning record and secured at least six conference victories.
Looking back at the past, the Big East’s 2011 tournament run featured one team—UConn—that emerged from a lower seed (No. 3) to win the national championship, despite finishing ninth in their conference. This raises the question: could a lower-seeded SEC team make a similar run this year?
The SEC’s depth is impressive, positioning them as the conference with the best chance for a national champion in 2025. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this conference will perform in the tournament.
Here’s a list of SEC teams participating in the 2025 NCAA tournament:
- No. 1 Auburn (South)
- No. 1 Florida (West)
- No. 2 Alabama (East)
- No. 2 Tennessee (Midwest)
- No. 3 Kentucky (Midwest)
- No. 4 Texas A&M (South)
- No. 6 Ole Miss (South)
- No. 6 Missouri (West)
- No. 8 Mississippi State (East)
- No. 9 Oklahoma (West)
- No. 9 Georgia (Midwest)
- No. 10 Vanderbilt (East)
- No. 10 Arkansas (Midwest)
- No. 11 Texas (Midwest)
As the tournament unfolds, keep an eye on these teams. Their journeys might just redefine how we view the SEC in college basketball. For more details on the NCAA men’s tournament, you can check out the official NCAA site here.
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NCAA tournament,SEC,NCAA,conference play,The conference