The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is on the verge of making history in college basketball. As the SEC Tournament heats up, the league is poised to shatter the NCAA record for the most bids in a single tournament, a milestone previously set by the Big East in 2011 with 11 teams. With the SEC’s depth and talent on full display, at least 13 teams could hear their names called on Selection Sunday, solidifying the conference’s dominance in the 2024-25 season.
This unprecedented accomplishment has been building all year, and Day 1 of the SEC Tournament in Nashville showcased the league’s depth. Bubble teams Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma all notched crucial wins, positioning themselves for inclusion in the Big Dance. Arkansas survived a scare to defeat South Carolina, while Texas and Oklahoma pulled off upsets against Vanderbilt and Georgia, respectively.
The latest projections have the SEC well-represented across the bracket. Powerhouses Auburn and Florida are expected to secure No. 1 seeds, with Alabama and Tennessee close behind as No. 2 seeds. Kentucky, fighting for a No. 2 seed, leads a mid-tier group including Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Mississippi State. On the bubble, Arkansas and Oklahoma moved off the “Last Four In” line, while Texas remains on the brink, needing another big win to solidify its place.
Here’s how the SEC stacks up in the Bracket Matrix:
- Auburn: No. 1
- Florida: No. 1
- Alabama: No. 2
- Tennessee: No. 2
- Kentucky: No. 3
- Texas A&M: No. 3
- Ole Miss: No. 6
- Missouri: No. 7
- Mississippi State: No. 8
- Georgia: No. 9
- Vanderbilt: No. 10
- Arkansas: No. 10
- Oklahoma: No. 11
The SEC’s remarkable performance this season has reignited debates about whether this year’s conference lineup is the best in college basketball history. With a chance to send 13 teams to the NCAA Tournament, including multiple contenders for a deep run, the SEC is making a strong case for being the premier conference in the sport.
As Selection Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Nashville and the SEC’s final push to cement its historic season. Will the SEC rewrite the record books? It certainly looks like the Big Blue Nation and the rest of the league are ready to dominate March Madness.
