Kristian Ferrell
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has a unique scheduling format for its basketball tournaments, which has evolved over the years, especially with the expansion of the league to include Oklahoma and Texas. The SEC has opted to maintain an 18-game league schedule, while other conferences have moved to 20 games. The format features a mix of permanent opponents, rotating opponents, and a balance of home and away games. Each team will play two permanent opponents twice, one rotating opponent twice, and the remaining teams once, with a mix of home and away games. This structure provides a challenging yet flexible schedule for teams, allowing them to focus on depth, physicality, and mindset throughout the grueling season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of permanent opponents | 2 or 3 |
| Number of opponents played once | 12 or 14 |
| Number of opponents played home and away | 2 or 3 |
| Number of opponents played on a rotating basis | 1 or 2 |
| Total number of games | 18 or 20 |
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What You'll Learn
Permanent opponents
The SEC basketball schedule has featured permanent opponents since at least 2015. In the 2015-16 season, each team had three permanent opponents, whom they played twice. They played the remaining teams in the league once, for a total of 18 games.
In 2022, the SEC expanded to include Oklahoma and Texas, which meant the scheduling format had to change. The new format features two permanent opponents, whom teams play home and away. They also play one other opponent on a home and away basis, which rotates annually. Teams play the remaining 12 opponents once per season, alternating between home and away games. This means that each team plays 18 conference games in total.
The SEC is the only 'power conference' in men's college basketball with an 18-game schedule. The other major conferences all play 20 games. The SEC's 18-game schedule allows teams to have more non-conference games, which are valuable. However, some have argued that the SEC should move to a 20-game schedule, to match the other conferences.
Prior to the expansion, Auburn's permanent opponents were Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
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Rotating opponents
The SEC has had a scheduling format where each team played three permanent opponents both home and away each year. For instance, Auburn's permanent opponents were Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss. Each team would also play two more home-and-away combos, which would rotate. The remaining eight teams were played once—four at home and four on the road. This resulted in a total of 18 games, which is fewer than the 20 games played in other "power conferences". The SEC has decided to stick to 18 games to give teams more flexibility when it comes to scheduling.
The expansion of the league to include Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12 meant that the SEC had to change its format. In a 16-game conference schedule, teams will play one rotating opponent at home and away, and then the other 14 teams once per season. This means that teams will play home and away against two permanent opponents, home and away against one opponent that rotates annually, and the remaining 12 opponents once per season, alternating between home and away.
The SEC Tournament will add two first-round games and continue to provide the top four seeds with a two-round bye to the quarterfinals.
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Scheduling flexibility
The SEC basketball schedule allows for some flexibility in its scheduling. While other conferences have moved to a 20-game schedule, the SEC has stuck with 18, which gives teams more flexibility when it comes to scheduling. This means that teams can play more non-conference games and play against more power opponents. In the past, the SEC had a scheduling format where each team played three permanent opponents both home and away each year. They would also play two more home-and-away combos, which would rotate, and the remaining eight teams were played once. However, with the expansion of the league to include Oklahoma and Texas, the SEC has changed its format. Now, teams play home and away against two permanent opponents and home and away against one other opponent that rotates annually. The remaining 12 opponents are played once per season, alternating between home and away. This format allows for a pretty effective rotation, according to SEC Tournament commissioner, Sankey, and the ability to schedule non-conference games, which are valuable.
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Conference expansion
In 2011, the SEC eliminated its divisional format for men's basketball, moving away from the East and West Divisions. This change took effect starting with the 2011-2012 season, and the conference schedule expanded to 18 games. The expansion included the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri, bringing the total number of schools in the SEC to 14.
The SEC continued to expand, and by 2022, it consisted of 16 member institutions, including the recent additions of Oklahoma and Texas. This expansion led to a new basketball schedule and tournament structure, with teams playing 18 conference games. The format includes playing two permanent opponents home and away, one rotating opponent home and away, and the remaining 12 opponents once per season, alternating between home and away games.
Despite calls for the SEC to increase the number of conference games to 20, matching other power conferences, the SEC has maintained its 18-game schedule. This decision considers non-conference scheduling flexibility and the success of the current format, which has contributed to a golden age for men's basketball quality in the league.
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Tournament structure
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has a particular scheduling format for its basketball tournaments. Each team plays three permanent opponents, both at home and away. They will then play two more home-and-away combinations, which will rotate. The remaining eight teams are played once—four at home and four away. This totals 18 conference games, which is fewer than other "power conferences", which play 20.
The SEC tournament structure has a five-round bracket, with the top four teams earning a double-bye to the quarterfinals. The bottom eight teams play on the Wednesday before the quarterfinals, with the winners going on to meet teams seeded 5 through 9 on the Thursday.
The SEC tournament's usual home is the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, which is slated to host the tournament through 2030.
In 2022, the SEC approved a new basketball schedule and tournament structure to accommodate a 16-team expansion, which included the addition of Oklahoma and Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
An SEC basketball season consists of 18 conference games. This includes playing two permanent opponents at home and away, one other opponent that rotates annually, also at home and away, and the remaining 12 opponents once per season, alternating between home and away.
The SEC is the only "power conference" with an 18-game schedule. All other power conferences play 20 games. The SEC's 18-game schedule gives teams more flexibility for scheduling non-conference games.
The SEC basketball schedule has remained at 18 games for at least the past two years. However, the schedule was changed in 2022 to accommodate the addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the conference.
