2025 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Preview: Auburn Eyes No. 1 Overall Seed

The 2025 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with Auburn leading the charge as the team to beat. Despite ending the regular season with back-to-back losses at Texas A&M and Alabama in overtime, the Tigers remain in prime position to secure the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.

Auburn’s Dominance: The Clear Favorite

Auburn has been a powerhouse throughout the season, boasting 16 Quad 1 wins — the most in the country by a wide margin. The Tigers spent more than two months atop the national rankings and have been the SEC’s most consistent force behind Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome.

Even with the recent losses, Auburn’s impressive résumé makes them the likely top overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Their ability to dominate the conference and win tough matchups has solidified their status as the SEC’s top contender.

Challengers to Watch: Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama

While Auburn is the frontrunner, several teams are poised to challenge the Tigers in Nashville:

• Florida: The Gators finished the season on a tear, winning nine of their last 10 games to secure second place in the SEC. Florida also owns a convincing win over Auburn and should be considered a major threat.

• Tennessee: The Volunteers stumbled late with a loss at Ole Miss but closed the year strong, winning five of their last six. Their dominant 20-point victory over Florida last month highlights their potential to make a deep run.

• Alabama: Despite closing the season with two losses in three games, the Crimson Tide’s thrilling overtime win over Auburn proved they remain a dangerous team. However, Alabama may be the least convincing of the top challengers.

Record Number of NCAA Bids on the Horizon

The SEC is poised to break new ground with a potential 12 NCAA tournament bids, surpassing the Big East’s record of 11 in 2011. The Big Ten is also pushing for double-digit bids, making this year’s March Madness field one of the deepest ever.

Both Georgia and Oklahoma are teams to watch. Georgia’s late-season surge — including a four-game win streak capped by an upset over Florida — puts them in solid position. Oklahoma, after a red-hot 13-0 start, needs a win or two in Nashville to secure its first tournament berth since 2021.

The SEC tournament tips off on Wednesday, March 12, with four first-round matchups:

• Game 1: No. 9 Arkansas vs. No. 16 South Carolina (1 p.m., SEC Network)

• Game 2: No. 12 Vanderbilt vs. No. 13 Texas (3:30 p.m., SEC Network)

• Game 3: No. 10 Mississippi State vs. No. 15 LSU (7 p.m., SEC Network)

• Game 4: No. 11 Georgia vs. No. 14 Oklahoma (9:30 p.m., SEC Network)

The second round on Thursday, March 13 will feature higher seeds entering the action, highlighted by No. 5 Texas A&M and No. 6 Kentucky. Auburn will take the floor on Friday, March 14, opening quarterfinal play against the winner of Ole Miss vs. Arkansas/South Carolina.

The championship game is set for Sunday, March 16, at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

Auburn’s depth, experience, and star power make them the heavy favorite, but the SEC tournament’s unpredictability leaves room for surprises. Florida’s late-season surge, Tennessee’s defensive prowess, and Alabama’s ability to pull off big wins could make things interesting. Regardless, Auburn’s dominance this season puts them in pole position to secure the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.