- The SEC has been the dominant convention in faculty basketball all season lengthy, and that has carried over to the NCAA Event.
- Auburn was the highest total seed, whereas Florida joined the Tigers as one other #1 seed.
- The SEC broke the document for many groups within the Candy 16 by a convention with seven, eclipsing the ACC’s six groups in 2016.
The primary weekend of the NCAA Event yielded just a few upsets, however the expectations that SEC groups will carry out nicely have been overexceeded1
The SEC flexed their muscular tissues as they’ve been the category of faculty basketball season. They set a document for many groups by a convention within the Candy 16, and SEC groups to win all of it is a robust guess proper now.
SEC Set NCAA Document with Seven Groups within the Candy 16
An Ole Miss romp over Iowa State wrapped up an NCAA document for the SEC. The convention put 14 groups in March Insanity, and 7 made it to the Candy 16.
#1 Florida and Arkansas made it by within the West Area, and the tenth-seeded Razorbacks are the bottom seed remaining after upsetting #2 St. John’s within the spherical of 32. Within the Midwest, there’s an all-SEC matchup brewing as #3 Kentucky and #2 Tennessee will sq. off on Friday night time.
#1 Auburn and #6 Ole Miss progressed within the South Area, and #2 Alabama is the lone SEC crew to make it by within the East. It must be stated that the Gators ended Connecticut’s quest for a three-peat with an thrilling 77-75 victory to kick off Sunday’s motion.
Auburn entered the Event as the highest total seed, and one of many high two favorites within the 2025 March Insanity odds, alongside Duke. Florida can be a #1 seed, and had a shout for the highest total seed with the season they’d. The SEC has lengthy been often known as a soccer convention, however they’re additionally seeking to take over faculty hoops as nicely!
The SEC wasn’t with out its issues, nevertheless. It must be stated that 5 groups with shedding convention data acquired into the NCAA Event, and solely Arkansas made it previous the spherical of 64. One crew, Texas, misplaced to Xavier within the First 4 spherical. The Longhorns responded by firing head coach Rodney Terry, and so they’re on the cusp of hiring Xavier’s Sean Miller.
Total, you’d have to contemplate the primary weekend to be a large success for the SEC!
Can an SEC Workforce Win the NCAA Event?
There isn’t a doubt that an SEC can win the NCAA Event for the primary time since Kentucky gained in 2012 beneath John Calipari, now the pinnacle coach at Arkansas. School basketball betting websites have Duke as the favourite, whereas Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee are subsequent, with Houston slotting in after the Gators.
Candy 16 odds have Ole Miss because the underdogs in opposition to Michigan State, whereas Arkansas is in the identical boat in opposition to Texas Tech. Nevertheless, as March Insanity underdog bets go, you might undoubtedly see both crew successful their video games. Alabama is favored over BYU, Florida is a favourite over Maryland, and Tennessee is favored over Kentucky within the all-SEC showdown.
Going by the percentages, you might see no less than three SEC groups within the Elite 8. In the meantime, Ole Miss and Arkansas may actually put the hammer down for the SEC. Don’t be shocked if the convention takes over the Closing 4 as nicely.