The SEC is about to make history. With 14 teams looking tournament-bound, the conference is set to shatter the record for most bids in a single NCAA Tournament, surpassing the Big East’s mark of 11 teams in 2011. The only question left: can the SEC push beyond 14, or will one team get left out?
Bracketologists Joe Lunardi (ESPN) and Jerry Palm (CBS) both have 13 SEC teams safely in, but they differ on the final cut—Lunardi leaves out Arkansas, while Palm snubs Texas. If the Razorbacks keep up their recent form, they should slide in, making it a record-breaking 14-team SEC invasion.
Here’s a look at the teams likely to make the field of 68:
Locks (No Sweat, They're Dancing)
- Auburn – The Tigers are a top seed contender, playing like a national title threat.
- Alabama – Nate Oats' squad is built for March with firepower all over.
- Tennessee – Defense travels, and the Vols have a Final Four ceiling.
- Florida – The Gators are rolling and look poised for a deep run.
- Texas A&M – A rock-solid résumé makes them a tournament certainty.
Very Likely (Almost There, Just Avoid a Collapse)
- Ole Miss – Sitting in a great spot with quality wins and a strong record.
- Mississippi State – Defense and size make them a dangerous March team.
- Kentucky – Inconsistent but too talented to miss out.
- Missouri – Solid in SEC play and trending in the right direction.
- Vanderbilt – Quietly putting together a tournament-worthy season.
- Oklahoma – The Sooners are proving they belong in their first SEC season though they are sliding at the wrong time.
- Georgia – Some big wins have the Bulldogs in the mix.
- Texas – Strong enough on paper, but Palm isn’t fully convinced yet.
Bubble Watch (On the Edge, Need to Keep Winning)
- Arkansas – Lunardi has them out for now, but recent play suggests they can get in.
If Arkansas does enough to stay in, we’re looking at an unprecedented 14-team SEC invasion of March Madness. Whether it’s 13 or 14, one thing’s for sure: the road to the Final Four is running through the SEC this year.