In a historic moment for college basketball, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has set a new benchmark by sending a record-breaking 14 teams to the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The league’s unprecedented presence marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape, eclipsing the previous record of 11 teams by the Big East in 2011.
For the first time in 45 years, the SEC secured multiple No. 1 seeds, with Auburn and Florida leading the charge alongside fellow top seeds Duke and Houston. The selection underscores the SEC’s evolution into a basketball powerhouse, a transformation that was once unimaginable in a conference long dominated by football headlines.
“I really thought that the 14 were justified, but you never know, so until you hear it, you’re never going to be overconfident,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “I wasn’t surprised—I was just pleased with the recognition.”
Auburn Leads the Way
Auburn earned a No. 1 seed for only the second time in its history, with head coach Bruce Pearl’s squad claiming the top overall seed. Star forward Johni Broome, a national player of the year contender, anchors the Tigers, who open their tournament journey in Lexington, Kentucky, facing the winner of Alabama State vs. Saint Francis (Pa.).
Despite a slight stumble late in the season—losing three of their last four games to ranked opponents—Auburn (28-5) remains a formidable title contender. The Tigers are eyeing their first national championship, backed by a roster that blends depth, defense, and dynamic scoring.
Florida Earns Top Spot in the West
Florida, led by coach Todd Golden, clinched its No. 1 seed in the West Region by defeating Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. The Gators (30-4) return to the top seed line for the first time since 2014 and hope to recapture the glory of their back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007.
Florida faces a challenging path ahead, with potential second-round matchups that could pit them against defending national champion UConn, now an underdog No. 8 seed.
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Duke and Houston Complete the No. 1 Quartet
Duke (31-3) secured its 15th No. 1 seed in tournament history and first under coach Jon Scheyer, following a strong showing in the ACC tournament despite an injury to star freshman Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils open their East Region campaign in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Houston (30-4), the Big 12 champion, is on the top line for the third consecutive year under coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars aim to break through to the Final Four again and chase their first national title. They open against SIU Edwardsville in Wichita.
A Deep and Dominant SEC Field
The SEC’s surge reflects a decade-long investment in basketball infrastructure, coaching hires, and competitive scheduling. All 16 SEC head coaches have NCAA Tournament experience, with six having reached the Final Four.
The bracket posed challenges for the NCAA Selection Committee, which had to spread out SEC teams across regions to avoid early intra-conference matchups. “We really had to move people around to minimize the conflict early,” said committee chairman Bubba Cunningham.
Notably, even with a 6-12 conference record, SEC newcomers Texas and Oklahoma earned bids, thanks to strong nonconference resumes. Alabama and Tennessee also secured No. 2 seeds, reinforcing the conference’s top-heavy strength.
ACC, Big Ten, and Others in the Shadow
The Big Ten secured eight bids, the second-most of any conference, while the ACC lagged with just four, its lowest tally since 2013. North Carolina, once considered a bubble team, squeaked in as an 11 seed and will face San Diego State in the First Four.
Rick Pitino’s St. John’s, now a Big East powerhouse, earned a No. 2 seed in the West Region. A second-round clash with Arkansas could set up a marquee matchup between Pitino and his longtime coaching rival, John Calipari.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga extended its streak of NCAA appearances to 26 straight seasons, second only to Michigan State’s 27. The Zags will face Georgia in the first round NCAA of the Midwest Region.
The Road Ahead
With powerhouses positioned across the bracket NCAA and the SEC’s strength on full display, the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises high drama, fierce rivalries, and potential upsets. As Auburn, Florida, Duke, and Houston eye the national title, the race to the Final Four is officially on—and history has already been made.
