Andrew Pace
The SEC men's basketball tournament is an annual event, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 2025 tournament champions were the Florida Gators, who beat Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee in the final game. This was their fifth-ever title and first since 2014. The tournament was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, from March 12 to March 16, 2025. The SEC men's basketball tournament includes all 16 league schools and is a single-elimination format, with seeding based on regular-season records. The tournament has been held at various locations throughout its history, including the Georgia Dome, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and Rupp Arena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | Florida Gators |
| Winner's Previous Wins | 4 previous wins (first since 2014) |
| Teams Beaten | Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee |
| Location | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN |
| Dates | 12-16 March |
| No. 1 Seed | Auburn |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC tournament
The Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC Tournament, marking their fifth SEC Tournament title and their first since 2014. The Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 86-77 in the championship game on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Gators, ranked No. 4, faced off against the No. 8 Tennessee team, securing their top seed with this victory. This win marked the Gators' fifth SEC Tournament championship in the program's history. The team had previously won the SEC Tournament in 2014, 2007, 2006, and 2005.
The 2025 SEC Tournament victory was a significant milestone for the Florida Gators, ending an 11-year drought since their last championship in 2014. This triumph solidified their position as a dominant force in college basketball, having won 12 out of their last 13 games leading up to the tournament.
The Gators' road to the championship game was paved with success, as they defeated several formidable opponents along the way. They showcased their prowess by beating Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee in the tournament. Their victory over Alabama, in particular, stood out as a decisive win, with the Gators eviscerating the No. 5 Tide and advancing confidently to the final.
The Florida Gators' outstanding performance in the 2025 SEC Tournament earned them well-deserved recognition and accolades. Walter Clayton Jr., a standout player, scored 22 points in the championship game and was named the Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP. His exceptional performance, along with that of his teammates, solidified the Gators' place as champions and reinforced their reputation as a top basketball program.
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SEC tournament format
The SEC tournament format has undergone several changes over the years, adapting to the evolution of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the inclusion of new teams. Here's an overview of the SEC tournament format:
Historical Formats
From 1933 to 1950, the SEC Champion was determined by a tournament, except for 1935. In 1951, a round-robin schedule was introduced, and the SEC title was awarded to the team with the highest regular-season in-conference winning percentage. This round-robin format expanded over the years to accommodate changes in the number of teams within the SEC.
Eastern and Western Divisions
Starting with the 1991-1992 season, the SEC split into an Eastern and Western Division, awarding division championships. During this era, the top two teams in both divisions received byes in the first round of the tournament. Meanwhile, the remaining teams were paired up, with #3 from one division playing #6 from the other, and so on. The winners of these initial matches would then face the top-ranked teams from the opposite divisions in subsequent rounds.
Expansion to 14 Schools
In 2012, with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M, the SEC expanded to 14 schools. This triggered a change in the tournament format starting in 2013. The four bottom seeds (#11 to #14) now play opening-round games, while the top four seeds receive a "double-bye" directly into the quarterfinals. This format ensures that the higher-ranked teams are granted some advantage while still providing an opportunity for lower-ranked teams to compete.
Recent Tournaments
The SEC tournament is held annually, with men's and women's tournaments taking place at various venues. The 2025 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, for example, was played at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, with Auburn as the No. 1 seed. The Florida Gators claimed the 2025 title, marking their fifth overall championship and their first since 2014.
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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. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament. However, the official conference championship is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
The SEC tournament championship game has been held at various venues throughout its history, 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 format of the SEC men's basketball tournament has evolved over the years. Initially, from 1933 to 1950, the official SEC Champion was determined by a tournament, except for 1935 when no tournament was held. From 1951 onwards, a round-robin schedule was introduced, and the SEC title was awarded based on regular-season performance. This format remained in place until 1978, with the number of games varying between 14, 16, and 18. In 1979, the tournament format was reinstated, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, the official league champion was still determined by regular-season performance.
Some notable achievements in the SEC men's basketball tournament history include the Arkansas Razorbacks' win in 2000, becoming the first team since the 1992 league expansion to win the conference tournament by playing all four days. Auburn accomplished a similar feat in 1985, defeating four teams to win their first SEC tournament. Since then, Georgia in 2008 and Mississippi State in 2009 have repeated this achievement.
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Teams with the most SEC tournament wins
The Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament, claiming their fifth title. The Gators beat Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee in the championship game.
While the Gators have the most SEC tournament wins, several other teams have also enjoyed multiple victories. Here are the teams with the most SEC tournament wins:
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators have won the SEC tournament five times, including the most recent tournament in 2025. Their other victories came in 2014 and two other years.
Auburn
Auburn has consistently been a top-seeded team in the SEC tournament. They were one of the dominant squads in the 2025 NCAA tournament, showcasing their strength in the conference.
Kentucky
Kentucky is another powerhouse in the SEC. They were among the first teams to clinch a spot in the Sweet 16 in 2025, demonstrating their consistent success in the tournament.
Tennessee
Tennessee has also been a strong contender in the SEC. They were a No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament and were among the final 16 teams, showcasing their ability to make deep runs in the competition.
Alabama
Alabama has been a force in the SEC, reaching the championship game of the 2025 SEC tournament. They were also a No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament, highlighting their status as one of the top teams in the conference.
The SEC tournament has seen several teams emerge as consistent contenders, with Florida currently holding the most tournament wins. The conference as a whole has been highly successful, breaking records with the number of teams selected for the NCAA tournament in recent years.
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Locations of the SEC tournament
The SEC men's basketball tournament is held at various locations, with no fixed venue. The tournament championship game has been hosted at several iconic sites over the years, including the Georgia Dome, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Bridgestone Arena, BJCC Coliseum, the Pyramid, Rupp Arena, Louisville Gardens, and Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Nashville, Tennessee, has been a recent hub for the tournament, with the Bridgestone Arena hosting the event since 2023 and set to continue doing so until 2030. The city's iconic status in the world of country music adds a layer of cultural significance to the tournament.
Prior to settling on Nashville, the SEC considered several other cities, including St. Louis, which was a strong contender. However, Nashville ultimately won out, and the tournament has since made its home at the Bridgestone Arena, providing a stage for some of the nation's top men's basketball teams to showcase their talent.
The SEC women's basketball tournament has demonstrated more fixedness in its location, with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, serving as the venue since 2023 and set to continue in this role through 2028. Greenville has a rich history with the tournament, having hosted it multiple times before, including in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida Gators won the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament, their fifth-ever title.
The 2020 SEC men's basketball tournament was cancelled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Auburn won the 2019 tournament, defeating Missouri, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.
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. The winner receives a bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The tournament has been held at various sites throughout its history, including the Georgia Dome, Bridgestone Arena, and Rupp Arena. Auburn was the first SEC team to win the tournament by playing all four days in 1985.
