Ayrton Oneill
The SEC Men's Basketball Tournament took place in March 2025 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament began on Wednesday, March 12, and concluded on Sunday, March 16. The Florida Gators took home the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament crown, winning their fifth-ever title and first since 2014.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Location | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN |
| Dates | March 12-16, 2025 |
| Teams | Auburn, Florida, Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, Vanderbilt, LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Mississippi |
| Defending Champion | Auburn |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 SEC tournament schedule
The 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament took place in March 2025. The tournament began on Wednesday, March 12, and concluded on Sunday, March 16. It was held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, with all 14 conference teams competing in a single-elimination tournament.
Schedule
Game 1: No. 9 Arkansas vs. No. 16 South Carolina (72-68)
Game 2: No. 13 Texas vs. No. 12 Vanderbilt (79-72)
Game 3: No. 10 Mississippi State vs. No. 15 LSU (91-62)
Game 4: No. 14 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Georgia (81-75)
Game 5: No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Arkansas (83-80)
Game 6: No. 13 Texas vs. No. 5 Texas A&M (94-89)
Game 7: No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Mississippi State (85-73)
Game 8: No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oklahoma (85-84)
Semifinals: Auburn vs. Tennessee & Florida vs. Alabama
Championship Game: Florida vs. Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee (won by Florida)
The Florida Gators claimed the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament title, marking their fifth championship and their first since 2014. Auburn was the No. 1 seed, and Kentucky held the record for the most SEC tournament titles with 32.
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Previous tournament champions
The SEC men's basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament involving all league schools, currently 16. The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but the official championship is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
The tournament has been held at various venues, including the Georgia Dome, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Bridgestone Arena, the BJCC Coliseum, the Pyramid, Rupp Arena, Louisville Gardens, and Alexander Memorial Coliseum at Georgia Tech (in an emergency relocation in 2008). The tournament was not held from 1953 to 1978.
Kentucky has won the most SEC tournament titles, with 32. Auburn is the defending champion, having beaten Florida in the 2024 final, 86-67. The Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament, their fifth title and first since 2014.
In 1979, the tournament winner received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time, but the official league champion remained the team with the best regular-season record. The Arkansas Razorbacks became the first team since the 1992 league expansion to win the conference tournament by playing all four days in 2000, beating Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, and Auburn. Auburn was the first SEC team to accomplish this feat in 1985, and it has been repeated three times since: by Georgia in 2008, Mississippi State in 2009, and again by Auburn in 2024.
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2024 SEC tournament results
The 2024 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament crowned Auburn as the winner, marking their first title win in five years. Auburn defeated Florida with a final score of 86-67. This was the first time in the tournament's history that Florida had been bested by such a large margin.
The road to the championship game was filled with thrilling matches and upsets. In Game 1, Arkansas (#12) clinched a victory over Vanderbilt (#13) in overtime, with a final score of 90-85. Game 2 saw Georgia (#11) edge out Missouri (#14) 64-59, while Game 3 witnessed a strong performance from Mississippi State (#9), who defeated LSU (#8) 70-60.
South Carolina (#5) dominated Game 4, overcoming Arkansas 80-66, and Texas A&M (#7) showcased their skills in Game 5, besting Ole Miss (#10) 80-71. Florida (#6) advanced to the final by defeating Georgia 85-80 in Game 6, while Mississippi State (#9) continued their winning streak in Game 7, eliminating the top-seeded Tennessee (#1) with a score of 73-56.
Auburn (#4) secured their spot in the final by defeating Florida in a highly anticipated match, setting the stage for a thrilling championship game. With Auburn's victory, they etched their names in the tournament's history and celebrated a well-deserved championship title.
Notably, Kentucky has the most SEC tournament titles, with an impressive 32 wins under their belt. However, Alabama held the title of defending champions from 2023, where they bested Texas A&M in a close final.
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Nashville as a host city
Nashville, Tennessee, has been a host city for the SEC Basketball Tournament several times, with the iconic Bridgestone Arena acting as the main venue. The city has a long-term relationship with the tournament, with the Southeastern Conference extending its agreement with the Nashville Sports Council to make Nashville the tournament's home through 2030, with an option to extend through 2035.
Nashville, often referred to as "Music City", offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors, including a vibrant music scene, exceptional culinary destinations, and a thriving arts scene. The city's nightlife is also a significant draw, with something to cater to every type of visitor.
The Bridgestone Arena, which opened in 1996, is a highly acclaimed entertainment and sports venue, known for hosting large-scale musical productions. The arena has hosted the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament on numerous occasions, including in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Additionally, the SEC Women's Tournament has been held at the arena multiple times, such as in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2018.
Nashville's ability to cater to sports fans is evident through its successful hosting of the SEC Basketball Tournament. The city provides an outstanding experience for fans, creating lasting memories for athletes and spectators alike. The tournament takes advantage of Nashville's exceptional hospitality and entertainment offerings, making it a popular choice for championship events.
The SEC Basketball Tournament in Nashville also includes additional events like the Party in the Park, featuring live music, food trucks, and a video screen to watch the tournament games. This event further showcases Nashville's musical heritage and its ability to provide a well-rounded experience for visitors. Overall, Nashville's reputation as a host city for the SEC Basketball Tournament is built on its vibrant culture, hospitality, and world-class venues, making it a favoured destination for this championship.
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SEC tournament history
The SEC men's basketball tournament is the conference tournament for the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It is a single-elimination tournament involving all 16 league schools, with seeding based on regular-season records. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but the official conference championship is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
The history of the tournament can be traced back to 1933, when the official SEC Champion was determined by a tournament, except for 1935. From 1951 onwards, a round-robin schedule was introduced, and the SEC title was given to the team with the highest regular-season winning percentage. This format remained in place until 1967, when, due to Tulane's departure, the round-robin schedule was expanded to 18 games.
In 1979, the tournament format was renewed, and the winner once again received the SEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, the official league champion was still determined by regular-season performance. The Arkansas Razorbacks made history in 2000, becoming the first team since the league expansion in 1992 to win the conference tournament by playing all four days. They beat Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, and Auburn to secure their place in the NCAA Basketball Championships.
The SEC expanded to include 14 schools with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012, leading to a new format for the 2013 tournament. The top four teams in the conference standings received first-round byes, and the tournament was structured identically to the SEC women's basketball tournament. In 2020, the tournament was cancelled after the first round due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
Kentucky has won the most SEC tournament titles, with 32. Auburn is the defending champion, having defeated Florida in the 2024 title game.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament started on Wednesday, March 12, and ended on Sunday, March 16.
The SEC Men's Basketball Tournament is usually played at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament. The 2024 tournament was won by Auburn, and Tennessee won the tournament in 2022.
