The SEC had 14 teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2025. This season, the SEC won't quite reach that record-breaking number, but Joe Lunardi is currently projecting 11 teams to reach the Big Dance, more than any other conference.
But first, how will this league tournament play out?
Here's my SEC Tournament picks, odds, sleepers and more.
2026 SEC Tournament Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Florida | -180 |
| Arkansas | +600 |
| Alabama | +850 |
| Tennessee | +950 |
| Vanderbilt | +1200 |
| Georgia | +3500 |
| Texas A&M | +3500 |
| Kentucky | +4500 |
| Texas | +6000 |
| Oklahoma | +10000 |
| Missouri | +15000 |
| Auburn | +18000 |
| Ole Miss | +60000 |
| South Carolina | +80000 |
| Mississippi State | +80000 |
| LSU | +80000 |
Odds via DraftKings
2026 SEC Tournament Bracket
SEC Tournament Favorite
Florida Gators
There's zero question about who the best team in this league is. Florida (-180) dominated the regular season, ultimately winning the conference by three games.
Remember when this team began SEC play 0-1? Me neither!
The Gators’ unbalanced league schedule was very favorable, but they thrashed those opponents. Per KenPom, Florida had the best offense and defense during conference play, a massively impressive feat that belies the strength of the SEC as a whole.
Equipped with arguably the best frontcourt in the country, the Gators are a bruising force at the rim on both ends.
They're among the best two-way rebounding teams in the country (top-10 in rate on both ends of the floor), and the quartet of Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon and Micah Handlogten has a wealth of size, physicality, skill and versatility.
That group has been a known commodity since the preseason. Florida’s evolution into a legitimate national title contender, however, has been driven by the development of the backcourt.
Transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee have been much better in conference play, and sharpshooting reserve Urban Klavzar (44% from 3 on high volume in SEC games) has been an unsung hero.
Thanks to the rim and rebounding dominance, Florida’s floor is incredibly high.
The ceiling continues to rise, as well.
Best SEC Tournament Future
Vanderbilt (+1200)
It would be nice to avoid the Florida side of the bracket, but neither Alabama (+850) nor Arkansas (+600) have the defense to hold up should they face the Gators again.
The Razorbacks should have a healthy and rested Darius Acuff Jr. after the star guard sat out the regular-season finale, but that doesn't solve the leaky rim defense.
If you do take the Tide or the Hogs, you'll be hoping that Vanderbilt can take out Florida in the semifinals. The Commodores nearly did just that back in mid-January, falling 98-94 in a fantastic back-and-forth game that featured 10 different players tallying double figures in scoring.
That 12/1 price is enticing, as it’s the longest odds for any of the four double-bye teams in this bracket.
The Commodores have the skill to combat Florida’s brute strength in the frontcourt. The forward trio of Tyler Nickel, AK Okereke and Devin McGlockton can all shoot from distance, and the emergence of Jalen Washington gives the Dores hope to battle inside against the Gators' onslaught.
Vandy also has the clear edge at guard with Tyler Tanner and the now-healthy Duke Miles, who's looked sharp the last few games after returning from a knee injury.
Before potentially facing the Gators, the draw hints at a Vandy rematch with in-state foe Tennessee in the quarterfinals. The Commodores split two close matchups with the Vols this season, and Tennessee could still be missing star freshman Nate Ament, who's trying to return from a high ankle sprain.
Even if he does play in Nashville, he could be limited. That would be huge for Vandy’s path to a title.
Thus, I think it's worth a stab at this price.
Best SEC Value Bet/Bid Stealer
Missouri (+15000)
If you’re looking for consistency, Missouri (150/1) isn't going to be your cup of tea. The Tigers have been all over the place this season, from getting trounced by non-NCAA Tournament teams to toppling Florida, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
Unsurprisingly, they rank 340th in Haslametrics’ “Results Consistency” metric, indicating how wildly up and down they are versus expectations.
It's that volatility that stands out for a long-shot bet, though.
The Tigers do have a tough path: likely Kentucky to start things off, followed by a quarterfinal against Florida. Beating the Gators twice in a season would be a monumental accomplishment.
For a true bid stealer, you have to dig deep. All eight teams with a bye or double bye are probably safe to make the NCAA Tournament, so someone like Auburn (+18000) becomes vaguely interesting.
The Tigers struggled badly down the stretch, losing eight of their final 10, but they also are the most recent team to beat Florida — and they won in Gainesville. They, at least, have the upside to go on a run, but they would have to win five games in five days.
Track These Bubble Teams
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia (+3500) is essentially locked in the field right now.
Missouri Tigers & Texas A&M Aggies
Both Missouri (+15000) and Texas A&M (+3500) are on solid footing, where even a loss to open the SEC Tournament is unlikely to drop them out of the field.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn is perhaps the most bubblicious team in the country. Steven Pearl’s squad is just 16-15 entering this tournament, and no team has ever received an at-large bid with 16 losses.
The Tigers played a ridiculously difficult schedule, and their metrics still indicate a real chance to dance, but they need at least 2-3 wins to feel any level of comfort.
Texas Longhorns & Oklahoma Sooners
Texas (+6000) and Oklahoma (+10000) are the other bubblers. The Sooners just beat the Longhorns in Austin on the season’s final day, outlasting them in overtime.
That snuck Porter Moser’s team into the conversation, though they need a run in Nashville to have realistic hopes.
Texas is in better shape and probably just needs to avoid a loss to Ole Miss in the first round.
