- The SEC has been the dominant conference in college basketball all season long, and that has carried over to the NCAA Tournament.
- Auburn was the top overall seed, while Florida joined the Tigers as another #1 seed.
- The SEC broke the record for most teams in the Sweet 16 by a conference with seven, eclipsing the ACC’s six teams in 2016.
The first weekend of the NCAA Tournament yielded a few upsets, but the expectations that SEC teams will perform well have been overexceeded1
The SEC flexed their muscles as they’ve been the class of college basketball season. They set a record for most teams by a conference in the Sweet 16, and looking at SEC teams to win it all is a strong bet right now.
SEC Set NCAA Record with Seven Teams in the Sweet 16
An Ole Miss romp over Iowa State wrapped up an NCAA record for the SEC. The conference put 14 teams in March Madness, and seven made it to the Sweet 16.
#1 Florida and Arkansas made it through in the West Region, and the 10th-seeded Razorbacks are the lowest seed remaining after upsetting #2 St. John’s in the round of 32. In the Midwest, there’s an all-SEC matchup brewing as #3 Kentucky and #2 Tennessee will square off on Friday night.
#1 Auburn and #6 Ole Miss progressed in the South Region, and #2 Alabama is the lone SEC team to make it through in the East. It should be said that the Gators ended Connecticut’s quest for a three-peat with an exciting 77-75 victory to kick off Sunday’s action.
Auburn entered the Tournament as the top overall seed, and one of the top two favorites in the 2025 March Madness odds, alongside Duke. Florida is also a #1 seed, and had a shout for the top overall seed with the season they had. The SEC has long been known as a football conference, but they’re also looking to take over college hoops as well!
The SEC wasn’t without its problems, however. It should be said that five teams with losing conference records got into the NCAA Tournament, and only Arkansas made it past the round of 64. One team, Texas, lost to Xavier in the First Four round. The Longhorns responded by firing head coach Rodney Terry, and they’re on the cusp of hiring Xavier’s Sean Miller.
Overall, you’d have to consider the first weekend to be a massive success for the SEC!
Can an SEC Team Win the NCAA Tournament?
There is no doubt that an SEC can win the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Kentucky won in 2012 under John Calipari, now the head coach at Arkansas. College basketball betting sites have Duke as the favorite, while Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee are next, with Houston slotting in after the Gators.
Sweet 16 odds have Ole Miss as the underdogs against Michigan State, while Arkansas is in the same boat against Texas Tech. However, as March Madness underdog bets go, you could definitely see either team winning their games. Alabama is favored over BYU, Florida is a favorite over Maryland, and Tennessee is favored over Kentucky in the all-SEC showdown.
Going by the odds, you could see at least three SEC teams in the Elite 8. Meanwhile, Ole Miss and Arkansas could really put the hammer down for the SEC. Don’t be surprised if the conference takes over the Final Four as well.
