1/22/2025 4:57 PM

Could This Be the Year of the SEC Basketball? Seven Teams Remain, But an All-SEC Final Four Looks Unlikely

By
Hayden Victoria
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SEC

In a historic year for the Southeastern Conference, seven SEC programs — Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Arkansas — are still dancing in the NCAA Tournament. But despite the impressive showing, fans aren’t sold on the prospect of an all-SEC Final Four.

According to an SB Nation survey, Florida is the only SEC team voters expect to win both of its games this weekend. The Gators, holding the second-best odds to win the national championship at +420 per Fanduel, trail only top-seeded Duke.

Auburn, another 1-seed and popular contender, is predicted by voters to fall in an upset to either Michigan or Michigan State. Tennessee and Kentucky could square off in an all-SEC Elite Eight showdown, but projections show the winner likely running into a buzzsaw in top-seeded Houston.

Elsewhere, 2-seed Alabama faces a daunting matchup with 1-seed Duke, the current title favorite, which many fans expect will end the Crimson Tide’s run.

With heavyweights like Duke and Houston standing in the way, the dream of an all-SEC Final Four may not come to fruition. Still, the presence of seven SEC teams in the Sweet 16 reflects the league’s rising national power in college basketball. Whether any of them can survive the chaos and reach San Antonio remains to be seen.

1/22/2025 4:57 PM

Could This Be the Year of the SEC Basketball? Seven Teams Remain, But an All-SEC Final Four Looks Unlikely

SHARE:
Photo Credit:
SEC

In a historic year for the Southeastern Conference, seven SEC programs — Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Arkansas — are still dancing in the NCAA Tournament. But despite the impressive showing, fans aren’t sold on the prospect of an all-SEC Final Four.

According to an SB Nation survey, Florida is the only SEC team voters expect to win both of its games this weekend. The Gators, holding the second-best odds to win the national championship at +420 per Fanduel, trail only top-seeded Duke.

Auburn, another 1-seed and popular contender, is predicted by voters to fall in an upset to either Michigan or Michigan State. Tennessee and Kentucky could square off in an all-SEC Elite Eight showdown, but projections show the winner likely running into a buzzsaw in top-seeded Houston.

Elsewhere, 2-seed Alabama faces a daunting matchup with 1-seed Duke, the current title favorite, which many fans expect will end the Crimson Tide’s run.

With heavyweights like Duke and Houston standing in the way, the dream of an all-SEC Final Four may not come to fruition. Still, the presence of seven SEC teams in the Sweet 16 reflects the league’s rising national power in college basketball. Whether any of them can survive the chaos and reach San Antonio remains to be seen.