NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is on the brink of making college basketball history, as it stands to break the record for the most NCAA tournament bids by a single conference. With Selection Sunday on the horizon, the burning question remains: How many more teams will the SEC send to the tournament compared to the current record of 11 bids set by the Big East back in 2011?
Commissioner Greg Sankey shared his insights on Friday night, stating that the SEC could have as many as 14 teams qualify for the NCAA tournament this year, a number he believes is completely justified based on the league’s performance. “It’s a unicorn league right now,” Sankey explained, emphasizing that the SEC’s achievements put it in a class of its own historically and deserved recognition.
The Texas Longhorns, currently projecting as the last team to make the cut, faced a setback against No. 8 Tennessee, losing 83-72. Tennessee’s coach, Rick Barnes, explicitly stated he believes Texas is a tournament-caliber team, suggesting a future SEC lineup of two more teams than previously seen.
Backing the SEC’s quest for 14 bids are impressive nonconference records, showing they have won an astounding 30-4 against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), 14-2 against the Big 12, and 10-9 against the Big Ten. Notably, the SEC’s overall nonconference winning percentage has been .889.
In terms of head-to-head comparisons, Sankey pointed out the stark contrast between teams in different conferences, mentioning the troubles North Carolina has faced this year despite a higher ranking. He referenced how LSU, which struggled within its own conference but still managed to secure two Quad 1 wins, significantly contrasts teams that carry high net rankings yet don’t perform in similar circumstances.
Sankey also highlighted a remarkable day in SEC history on March 1, where three top-20 matchups occurred, underscoring the league’s competition level. “That’s the unicorn we’ve created this year,” he declared proudly, reiterating his hope that all involved in the SEC—from athletes to coaches—should feel a sense of pride in their achievements.
Reflecting on the SEC’s growth, he noted that from 2012-2013 through 2015-2016 seasons, the league saw only three bids in multiple years. However, as the conference expanded from 14 to 16 schools, the growth in basketball prowess has been significant over the past decade.
As Sankey remarked earlier this year, every discussion surrounding NCAA bids should begin at 14. “We should never talk about less than 14,” he maintained. As the SEC concludes another competitive season, expectations run high for surpassing past records and earning recognition for the league’s consistent strength on the court.
