The 2023 NCAA Tournament is set to tip off later this week. How many SEC basketball teams were invited to attend the Big Dance?
While the Southeastern Conference is usually known more for its presence on the college football scene, SEC basketball has been quite competitive this season and will be well-represented in the NCAA Tournament.
Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been mired in quite a lot of controversy this season. But in his fourth year as the head man in Tuscaloosa, Oats has his team ranked as a No. 1 seed. How many other SEC basketball teams are in the field of 68?
How many SEC teams made the NCAA Tournament?
The SEC was able to secure eight bids in this year’s NCAA Tournament:
- Alabama (1-South)
- Missouri (7-South)
- Texas A&M (7-Midwest)
- Auburn (9-Midwest)
- Mississippi State (11-Midwest)
- Tennessee (4-East)
- Kentucky (6-East)
- Arkansas (8-West)
Last year, the SEC saw six teams enter the tournament, though the argument could have been made for seven. The Texas A&M Aggies were left out in the cold.
Buzz Williams’ squad was not going to be denied this year. Texas A&M was second only to Alabama this season, and the Aggies have a very legitimate shot to make a run at the Final Four.
The Auburn Tigers certainly took a step back in 2023, as did the Kentucky Wildcats. Bruce Pearl and John Calipari both led their teams to No. 2 seeds in last year’s tournament, but a much more difficult path awaits the two tournament-tested teams this March.
Tennessee is back in the Big Dance. After falling to No. 11 seed Michigan in the second-round a year ago, Rick Barnes will be looking to get out of the first weekend.
Only one SEC basketball team made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022 and that was the Arkansas Razorbacks. Head coach Eric Musselman are hoping to lead the Hogs back to the Regional Semifinal this year as well.
Dennis Gates’ first season at the University of Missouri was a success. Not only did the Tigers make it the NCAA Tournament, Gates was handed a contract extension this past week. Mizzou will be looking to advance in the tournament for the first time since 2010.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs secured one of the last spots in the dance. After finishing ninth in the SEC this season, out-of-conference victories over Marquette and TCU were enough to put MSU into the 68-team tourney.
After making it to the tournament last season, the LSU Tigers will be watching the festivities from home this season. An abysmal 2-16 conference record will have head coach Matt McMahon searching for answers all offseason.
