As the college basketball season heats up, all eyes turn to the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, one of the premier conference tournaments leading up to the NCAA March Madness. Here's a comprehensive look at where, when, and how the 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament will unfold.
Location
Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
For the 11th consecutive year, excluding the exceptions in 2014 and 2018, Nashville will host the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament. Bridgestone Arena has become a synonymous venue for this event.
Dates and Times
Start Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
End Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Session Times:
First Round: Wednesday, March 12
Second Round: Thursday, March 13
Quarterfinals: Friday, March 14
Semifinals: Saturday, March 15
Championship Game: Sunday, March 16
Bracket Format
Participants: All 16 teams from the SEC will participate in the tournament, making it one of the largest conference tournaments in college basketball.
Seeding: Teams are seeded based on their regular-season conference record. The top four seeds earn a double bye, advancing directly to the quarterfinals, which significantly reduces the number of games they need to win to reach the championship. Kentucky needs this desperately.
Seeds 9-16: These teams play in the first round on Wednesday.
Seeds 5-8: These teams get a first-round bye and play in the second round on Thursday.
Seeds 1-4: These teams receive the double bye, entering the tournament in the quarterfinals on Friday.
:
First Round: Four games, featuring seeds 9 through 16.
Second Round: Four games, where the winners from the first round face off against seeds 5-8.
Quarterfinals: The top four seeds join the fray, playing against the winners from the second round.
Semifinals: The quarterfinal victors compete for a spot in the championship game.
Championship: The final two teams battle for the SEC Tournament title, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
SEC men's basketball is a juggernaut this season, with the league projected to receive a record 13 bids to the NCAA Tournament
— Craig Meyer (@ByCraigMeyer) January 26, 2025
How'd a football conference that was once a basketball afterthought get here?
I took a look for today's newsletter pic.twitter.com/MmsmCDnadX
TV Coverage: The SEC Network will likely handle the early rounds, with ESPN/ABC potentially broadcasting the semifinals and championship game, continuing the tradition of showcasing high-level college basketball to a broad audience. You can use Hulu, YoutubeTV, Sling, or Fubo.
Tickets: Tickets for the tournament go on sale well in advance, check with third party sites like SeatGeek, or contact the SEC ticket office here.
Fan Experience: Nashville not only provides a vibrant basketball atmosphere but also offers numerous activities and attractions for fans, enhancing the tournament experience with its music scene, restaurants, and more.
The SEC Tournament has a rich history, Kentucky and Tennessee leading in championship wins, but the Cats have been in a recent drought. The last time Kentucky won the SEC tournament was 2018.
The last 5 Champions are
2017-18 Kentucky
2018-19 Auburn
2019-20 No Championship (Covid)
2020-21 Alabama
2021-22 Tennessee
2022-23 Alabama
The event has seen its format evolve over the years, especially with the expansion of the conference, ensuring every team gets a shot at the title.
As we approach the 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, fans can expect intense competition, unexpected upsets, and the thrill of March Madness in the heart of Nashville. Whether you're there in person or watching from home, the tournament promises to be a highlight of the college basketball season.