Crabcakes and football. That’s what Maryland does. Bachelorette parties and the SEC Basketball tournament. That’s what Nashville does.
It’s time for the annual pilgrimage back to Bridgestone Arena for SEC basketball fans. Here’s our SEC Tournament preview.
The bracket
There was a ton of movement over the last several weeks, including a wild juggling of seedings on the final day of the regular season.
🚨 THE BRACKET.
🔗 https://t.co/DN2gdVm3Sz#SECMBB x #SECTourney pic.twitter.com/3Apdvomhsd
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 8, 2026
Teams with the most to gain
Oklahoma hasn’t really sniffed any bracketology projections in the last several months. They aren’t included on any bubbles or first four (teams) out portions of any projections. However, they are on a hot streak, winning six of their last eight games and four straight to close out the regular season.
They’re also on the easy side of the bracket. By “easy,” I mean they wouldn’t see Florida until the finals if both teams advanced. They also avoid Alabama, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, and wouldn’t face Arkansas until Friday if they win their first two games.
If Oklahoma can make a run to the weekend, they may have a case to get into the Big Dance even if they don’t take home the trophy. Getting to Sunday would mean they would have won their last nine games in a row and beaten at least five tournament teams during that streak.
The other team is Vanderbilt, and it’s primarily based on seedings. For some reason, Vanderbilt hasn’t garnered any respect from the national media for most of the year. That’s despite being ranked in the top 25 for most of the year and having wins over Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Perhaps their most important resume builder is that they have the second most Quad 1 wins in the conference and the fifth most in the country with eight in 14 games. Vanderbilt lost to Florida in the regular season by just four points. If they can find a way to win and get to the championship, they will move off the 5 seed line and up to a 3 seed.
1st time in school history at @VandyFootball, @VandyMBB & @VandyWBB all won in Knoxville. https://t.co/h2jAdW1Z5B
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) March 7, 2026
Team with the most to lose
Like a bald man with a ponytail, Auburn is holding on for dear life when it comes to their NCAA tournament hopes.
The Tigers finished the regular season at 16-15. They’ve played the second most Quad 1 games in the country with 16 on the season, but they only won four of those, and they closed out the regular season like they usually do in football – with a lot of losses. Auburn lost eight of their last ten games to limp across the finish line.
They’re currently the first team out of the tournament according to Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology. Auburn doesn’t have to win the tournament to get in the field, but a loss in the opening round against Mississippi State would all but solidify them spending the month of March in the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 10, 2026
Wednesday team who can make a run
Oklahoma has won six of their last eight games to finish the regular season. They won their last four by nearly 12 points per game. They open with South Carolina in round one who was the No. 16 Seed in the SEC tournament before a last second buzzer beater against Ole Miss vaulted them to No. 14.
If Oklahoma wins that game, it would then face a Texas A&M team that beat the Sooners by four earlier this season but has defeated only two tournament teams since Jan. 21.
OH MY MO 😯 pic.twitter.com/sPqcEWlHH8
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) March 4, 2026
Picking a Cinderella
Does it really count as a “Cinderella” if it’s a No. 3 seed in the tournament? Probably not, but considering how Florida is playing this year, anyone not named the Gators should absolutely be considered a Cinderella.
Arkansas is the most likely choice. Alabama doesn’t play defense well enough to beat a team like Florida, and if they go cold from deep, they’re ceiling and floor both get a lot lower.
DARIUS ACUFF JR. WINS SEC PLAYER AND SEC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR! 🏆🏆
Coach Cal with another elite guard 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gYrOWaj2Rp
— ESPN (@espn) March 9, 2026
Arkansas is the answer. They have the best player in the conference in Darius Acuff Jr. They also have a supporting cast that is a perfect blend of experienced veterans, size and scorers. They have a sixth year senior down low in Nick Pringle, who isn’t a skilled scorer, but can play elite defense and rebound well. Then there’s Trevon Brazile who finished the season averaging over 13 points and seven rebounds per game. Most importantly, there’s the guard play. Billy Richmond III and Maleek Thomas both averaged double digits this year in points. Richmond scored 20 or more points in five of his last seven games. Freshman Guard Maleek Thomas is coming off his season high in points with 28 against Missouri.
Who cuts down the nets in Nashville
No one is beating Florida. Period. It’s not even worth breaking down. The Gators are that good, and will win the tournament in Nashville for a second straight year. The bigger question is how far can they go in the NCAA Tournament.
GATOR BOYS STAY HOT🔥@OldRowGators pic.twitter.com/gTbvx9CNrg
— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) April 8, 2025
