The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has made history with its record-breaking performance during the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection. For the first time, the conference secured 14 out of its 16 teams to enter the prestigious competition, smashing the previous record held by the Big East, which managed to place 11 teams back in 2011. This remarkable achievement is creating waves across the college sports community and reinforcing the SEC's reputation as not only the strongest football conference but now also the finest basketball conference.
On Selection Sunday, which fell on March 16, 2025, the SEC celebrated widespread recognition. "I really thought the 14 were justified, but you never know, so until you hear it, you’re never going to be overconfident," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey told The Athletic. He expressed both relief and satisfaction with the acknowledgment of the resounding quality within the conference.
Auburn gained significant attention by securing the overall No. 1 seed, marking just the second time the program has achieved this status, alongside their previous No. 1 inaugural season back in 1999. Joining Auburn at the top of their brackets were the Florida Gators, who earned their own No. 1 seed after triumphing over Tennessee to win the SEC tournament on the same day. The Gators presented themselves as fierce competitors, with their team finishing the season with an outstanding record of 30-4.
The SEC’s accomplishments do not stop with the top seeds. The Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide both earned No. 2 seeds with records of 27-7 and 25-8, respectively. All four teams finishing with remarkable records reflects the high caliber of talent present across the board. Six of the SEC's 14 teams made their way to the top four seeds within the brackets, showcasing the depth and talent spread throughout the conference this year.
Looking back, just nine years ago, the SEC represented only three teams during the tournament. This significant turnaround is attributed to concerted efforts, including hiring former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese as an advisor. "We’ve seen new arenas in Auburn and Ole Miss and even redos at other places, Kentucky and Florida and Georgia. Practice facilities. But all 16 of our coaches have been to the NCAA Tournament. Six have been to the Final Fours. That’s … credit to our athletic directors," Sankey noted during his commentary on what has changed.
The expanded SEC, now with 16 teams, has established itself as the premier conference for college basketball, and this sentiment is echoed by its impressive track record against other power conferences. For the 2024-2025 season, SEC teams finished with a remarkable mark of 59 wins and just 19 losses against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, and Big 12 before entering conference play. Collectively, SEC teams won 89% of their non-conference games, underscoring their competitive prowess.
Among the SEC brackets, significant matchups await. Auburn, labeled the No. 1 overall seed, will be aiming for its first national title when they open against the winner of the First Four matchup between Alabama State and Saint Francis (Pa.). Florida and Alabama also stand with high hopes, anticipating deep runs this March.
For SEC teams like Texas, which entered with the lowest seed at No. 11 against Xavier, there remains optimism for surprising performances. Meanwhile, those favorites like Auburn and Florida are expected to perform well and push through the early rounds, setting the stage for potential intra-conference battles down the line.
The 2025 NCAA tournament is set to showcase the league’s unparalleled depth. Among notable teams, the Kentucky Wildcats secured the No. 3 seed, and other commendable efforts have confirmed the SEC’s dedication to basketball, exemplified by Texas A&M and Ole Miss receiving No. 4 and 6 seeds, respectively. Together, 14 of the 16 teams reflect the growing competitiveness and atmosphere within the SEC.
The SEC has become synonymous with both football and basketball excellence, and the 2025 NCAA tournament is poised to create unforgettable moments. The only two teams left out of the tournament were South Carolina and LSU, who combined for only five wins throughout conference play. The future is bright as fans eagerly anticipate seeing how their teams will fare against national contenders when March Madness begins.
The anticipation surrounding this year’s NCAA tournament is palpable. Eyes will be glued to the SEC as they continue to forge their legacy across college sports. With the establishment of records and levels of performance never before seen from any other conference, the SEC is ready to solidify its stance as the most powerful conference during this year’s tournament offering. Will the SEC produce the national champion? Given their unprecedented number of participants, they have the best chance to bring home the coveted title this season.
