Kentucky basketball's SEC tournament path finalized: See who the Cats drew

Kentucky will get a single bye in the SEC tournament thanks to a 2-0 week and a little help from Florida.
Jan 7, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks behind Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks behind Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The 2025 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket is officially set, and after an electric finish to the regular season, all 16 teams are ready to battle for conference supremacy in Nashville. With top-seeded Auburn leading the pack and several teams fighting for NCAA Tournament bids, this year’s edition promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory.

Final Regular Season Results Shake Up Seeding

A chaotic final day of the regular season helped solidify the bracket. Alabama’s dramatic 93-91 overtime victory over Auburn secured the Crimson Tide the No. 3 seed, while Kentucky’s 91-83 road win against Missouri ensured the Wildcats would enter as the No. 6 seed.

Elsewhere, Arkansas eked out a thrilling 93-92 win over Mississippi State, bolstering their confidence heading into the first round as the No. 9 seed. Georgia’s 79-68 victory over Vanderbilt was enough to clinch the No. 11 spot, while Texas A&M’s dominant 66-52 performance over LSU reaffirmed their status as a top-five seed.

SEC Tournament Schedule

Wednesday (First Round) – SEC Network
Game 1: No. 16 South Carolina vs. No. 9 Arkansas – Noon
Game 2: No. 13 Texas vs. No. 12 Vanderbilt – 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 15 LSU vs. No. 10 Mississippi State – 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 14 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Georgia – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday (Second Round) – SEC Network
Game 5: Game 1 Winner vs. No. 8 Ole Miss – Noon
Game 6: Game 2 Winner vs. No. 5 Texas A&M – 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. No. 7 Missouri – 6 p.m.
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. No. 6 Kentucky – 8:30 p.m.

Friday (Quarterfinals) – ESPN/SEC Network
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. No. 1 Auburn – Noon (ESPN)
Game 10: Game 6 Winner vs. No. 4 Tennessee – 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 11: Game 7 Winner vs. No. 2 Florida – 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Game 12: Game 8 Winner vs. No. 3 Alabama – 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)

Saturday (Semifinals) – ESPN
Game 13: Game 10 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner – Noon
Game 14: Game 12 Winner vs. Game 11 Winner – 2:30 p.m.

Sunday (Championship) – ESPN
Game 15: Game 14 Winner vs. Game 13 Winner – Noon

1. Auburn and Florida Lead the Pack
Auburn (27-4, 15-3 SEC) enters as the No. 1 seed, despite falling to Alabama in a thrilling overtime finish. Florida, the No. 2 seed, has been dominant down the stretch, winning 10 of its last 11 games. Both teams will have targets on their backs, as the rest of the league looks to knock them off in Nashville.

2. Kentucky and Alabama Peaking at the Right Time
Kentucky’s offense has found its rhythm, as Otega Oweh’s 22-point performance helped the Wildcats secure a key win over Missouri. Meanwhile, Alabama’s gritty win against Auburn, led by Grant Nelson’s 23 points, has the Crimson Tide rolling into the tournament with confidence.

3. Bubble Teams Needing a Deep Run
Vandy, Arkansas, and Georgia are among the teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble, meaning a deep run in Nashville could be the difference between hearing their names on Selection Sunday or heading to the NIT. Arkansas’ D.J. Wagner is a player to watch as John Calipari looks to get the Hogs into the tournament in year 1.

The SEC Tournament is always unpredictable, and with this year’s field as competitive as ever, expect upsets, buzzer-beaters, and plenty of drama. Will Auburn live up to its No. 1 seed? Can Florida or Tennessee challenge for the title? Will a surprise team make a Cinderella run? Will the Sooners get another shot at Kentucky or will the Cats get a shot at revenge on the Dawgs? All questions will be answered in the coming days as the SEC’s best battle for the championship in Nashville.