2025 SEC Basketball Tournament

On Wednesday, March 12th, the SEC conference tournament begins in Nashville, Tennessee. There isn’t a conference in college basketball that possesses the type of talent the SEC does, which is why “it just means more.” Not only does Bracket Matrix have 12 SEC teams in the field of 68 right now, but four of the top-10 teams in the country play in this conference. Auburn, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee are all top-tier college basketball teams, and there are five or six other teams that have what it takes to compete with them when they’re on. So, this should end up being the most exciting conference tournament to watch. That said, keep reading for our SEC tournament preview for a darkhorse, some players to watch and a pick to win.

How to Watch the SEC Tournament

When: March 12-16

 

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Where: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee

Format: Seeding based on record in conference; top-four seeds receive double-byes to quarterfinals

Watch: ESPN, SEC Network; Championship Game on Sunday, March 16th on ESPN at 1:00 pm ET

SEC Tournament Bracket

SEC Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds

  1. Auburn Tigers (+150)
  2. Florida Gators (+270)
  3. Alabama Crimson Tide (+425)
  4. Tennessee Volunteers (+600)
  5. Texas A&M Aggies (25-1)
  6. Kentucky Wildcats (19-1)
  7. Missouri Tigers (25-1)
  8. Ole Miss Rebels (65-1)
  9. Arkansas Razorbacks (150-1)
  10. Mississippi State Bulldogs (150-1)
  11. Georgia Bulldogs (110-1)
  12. Vanderbilt Commodores (200-1)
  13. Texas Longhorns (250-1)
  14. Oklahoma Sooners (250-1)
  15. LSU Tigers (300-1)
  16. South Carolina Gamecocks (500-1)

Favorite To Win SEC Tournament

Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers have been one of the best teams in college basketball all year long, so it makes sense that the Tigers are the betting favorites to win the SEC. Auburn has the best player in the conference in Johni Broome. The Tigers are also first in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency for both KenPom and Bart Torvik, and they’re a top-15 team in defense at both spots. Our VSiN Power Ratings also happen to have Auburn as the second-ranked team in the nation, trailing only an outrageously good Duke team. The Tigers are simply tremendous, as they’re a top-30 team when it comes to both 2PT% and 3PT%. They’re also fourth in the nation in turnover rate (13.2%). On top of everything they do well offensively, they’re also unbelievable when it comes to guarding the 3-point line. With all of that in mind, Auburn can beat everybody when the team is playing its best basketball. The roster is also loaded with players with years of college experience.

SEC Tournament Darkhorse

It’s hard not to view Missouri as the biggest potential disruptor in this tournament. Since the start of February, Missouri is fifth in the SEC in Bart Torvik’s power ratings, with the nation’s second-best offense in that span having a lot to do with that. When you can score as easily as the Tigers do, you’re going to have a chance to win games. Missouri just needs to find a way to lock in and play some defense this week. If the Tigers just play average defensively, one of the many talented guards on this team — like flamethrower Caleb Grill — can get some games home late. But overall, 25-1 is a pretty good price for a pizza money play on a team that earned wins over Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Florida during conference play.

Players to Watch in SEC Tournament

As previously mentioned, Broome is the best player in the conference. And really, the only player that rivals him in all of college basketball is Cooper Flagg. Broome is second in the nation in BPM and averages 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. He can score in every way imaginable, he’s a good passer and he’s a good rim protector. The rest of the rotation is filled out with guys that can really knock down 3s, which takes advantage of Broome’s ability to score around the basket, draw help and then kick out to open teammates.

With Alabama, everything revolves around Mark Sears. The small, lefty point guard is averaging 19.2 points and 5.0 assists per game, and if you didn’t know any better you’d think Jalen Brunson was playing for the Crimson Tide. Sears can create his own shot whenever he wants, and he sets the tone for an Alabama team that once again plays at one of the fastest tempos in college basketball. Big man Grant Nelson is also awesome for the Tide, as he’s a great mover for a guy his size, can create off the dribble and plays both ends of the floor well. Alabama also has a stable of other guards that can get hot when called upon.

For Florida, the names to know are Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard and Alex Condon. Condon is actually third in the conference in BPM, and he’s a jack-of-all-trades forward that should give teams nightmares in the postseason. The other three are guards that can all pick defenses apart in a number of different ways. Clayton is the one that really stirs the drink for the entire unit, averaging 17.2 points and 4.3 assists per game, but don’t discount what Martin and Richard can do.

Tennessee has a familiar face making things happen, with Zakai Ziegler averaging 13.1 points and 7.5 assists per game. He continues to be one of the best guards in the SEC, and his ability to run an offense gives the Volunteers the hope that they can break through and do special things in the NCAA Tournament. Chaz Lanier has also been a perfect portal acquisition, averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting 40.5% from 3. Igor Milicic Jr. has also been great all year long, averaging 10.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for the Vols. He’s second on the team in BPM behind Ziegler and they’re going to look to run a lot through him over the next few weeks.

If Texas A&M is going to make a push this week, it could mean a Kemba Walker-like run from Wade Taylor IV. This Aggies team is tremendous defensively, and the group relies on Taylor to do pretty much everything on offense. This year, the guard really struggled when it came to shooting percentages, but he’s not going to be shy about getting shots up. And if he gets hot, A&M will be able to beat anyone.

There really are too many studs in this conference to even run through them all, but we’ll also throw some shine on South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles, Georgia’s Asa Newell and Texas’ Tre Johnson. You’re going to hear all of their names come NBA Draft time, and they all give their teams a puncher’s chance in any given matchup.

Betting Pick to Win the SEC Tournament

I’m a bit of a sucker for Tennessee at these current odds. As always, Rick Barnes has himself a top-five defensive team in the country, and a stifling defense gives you the chance to win whenever you’re on the floor. And much like last year’s Dalton Knecht-led Vols team, this group has more firepower than your usual Barnes squads. Ziegler is one of the best floor generals in college basketball, and adding Lanier gave this team the Knecht-like floor spacer it needs to execute good offense late in games. We also know that Tennessee can beat anyone in this conference. The team earned wins over Florida, Texas A&M and Alabama during the regular season, and the lone game the Vols played against Auburn was a 53-51 loss at Neville Arena. Let’s see what a neutral-court setting would do for that matchup.

Makinen’s Power Ratings for SEC

  • Lines of 7 points or more should be noted for two reasons in the SEC tourney. First off, favorites in these games are on a 32-8 SU and 23-15-2 ATS (60.5%) run since 2014, and second, these games have gone Under the total at a 28-11-1 (71.8%) rate.
  • The BYE has proven important in the SEC tournament of late, as rested teams are on a 31-13 SU and 26-18 ATS (59.1%) run versus teams that have already played.
  • Totals of 145 or higher have gone 24-12-1 Under the total (66.7%) in the SEC tournament since 2009. However, they were 5-3 Over in 2024.
  • SEC title game favorites are on a 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS (66.7%) run since 2015.

More Steve Makinen Conference Tournament Betting Trends.

Check out the other previews in our 2025 College Basketball Conference Tournament Betting Guide.

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