The SEC projects that eight teams will participate in the NCAA Tournament, which would be second in order of any conference in the country. Only the Big Ten (nine) is projected to have more teams in the NCAA Tournament than the SEC.
The Georgia Bulldogs have really turned things around in their first year under head coach Mike White. Georgia is no longer an SEC doormat. However, the Dawgs still have a lot of improvement to make.
No one expected Alabama to be this good at basketball. The Crimson Tide is currently expected to be the top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Every team in the SEC has one or two games left.
The SEC Tournament will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, March 8-12. All 14 teams participate in the conference. The SEC’s top 10 seeds receive a first-round bye. Additionally, the top four seeds get another bye and do not have to play in the first two rounds.
Here’s how the conference standings enter March:
LSU Tigers (13-16, 2-14)
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LSU Tigers head coach Matt McMahon has to be disappointed that the Tigers couldn’t get a win on the road this year. LSU went 11-2 in non-conference play, but the Tigers struggled in the SEC.
Plijel’s Wild Game from South Carolina (10-20, 3-14)
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South Carolina is just 6-8 at home. The Gamecocks have struggled in conference play and must win the SEC Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Ole Miss Rebels (11-19, 3-14)
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The Mississippi Rebels fired head coach Kermit Davis in the middle of the season. Ole Miss is just 2-8 on the road. The Rebels will need to win the SEC Tournament in order to make the NCAA Tournament.
Georgia Bulldogs (16-14, 6-11)
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Georgia went from winning just six games last season. The Bulldogs must continue to add talent to have a chance to reach the NCAA Tournament in the coming years.
Georgia will have to play in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
Florida Gators (15-15, 8-9)
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Florida will likely miss another NCAA tournament. The Gators are in their first year under head coach Tom Golden.
Arkansas Razorbacks (19-11, 8-9)
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ESPN currently projects Arkansas to be the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas has a lot of talent, but has lost more games than it has won in the SEC. Can the Razorbacks get it all together in March?
Mississippi State Bulldogs (20-10, 8-9)
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Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans could help the Bulldogs make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Mississippi State is currently one of the last teams in the streak.
Vanderbilt Commodores (16-13, 9-7)
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Vanderbilt has performed well in SEC action, but the Commodores’ 7-6 non-conference record will likely keep them from making the NCAA Tournament.
Vanderbilt will need to win the SEC Tournament to make March Madness.
Auburn Tigers (19-10, 9-7)
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Auburn won the SEC regular season championship in 2022, but it looks like their rival, Alabama, will win that title this season. The Tigers are projected to be the No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Missouri Tigers (21-8, 9-7)
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Missouri is projected to be the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee Volunteers (22-8, 11-6)
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Tennessee has a chance to make some noise in March. The Volunteers are expected to be the third seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s bracket. Look for Tennessee to make its fifth straight March Madness.
Kentucky Wildcats (20-9, 11-5)
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Kentucky is back on track to make March Madness after struggling in late January and early February. The Wildcats are currently projected as the No. 6 seed.
Texas A&M Aggies (22-8, 14-3)
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Aggies fans missed a postseason football game, but basketball is a different story. Texas A&M surprised a lot of people with great performances in conference play. The Aggies need help, but they can still share the conference title with Alabama.
Alabama Crimson Tide (25-4, 15-1)
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Alabama is back to No. 1 — in basketball. The Crimson Tide once again have a great team and will look to win a national championship. If Alabama defeats Auburn on March 1, then the Crimson Tide will win the SEC regular season title.