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2023 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Dates

• Wednesday, March 8 (first round)
• Thursday, March 9 (second round)
• Friday, March 10 (quarterfinals)
• Saturday, March 11 (semifinals)
• Sunday, March 12 (championship)

Format

Traditional bracket

Site

Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville has established itself as the SEC Tournament’s usual home, as it is slated host for the next eight years.

Downloadable Bracket

Schedule

All times are p.m. Eastern unless noted. Games marked with an asterisk (*) are the second of a doubleheader, so the tip time is approximate.

First Round (Wed., March 8)

Game 1: (13) Ole Miss 67, (12) South Carolina (11-21, 4-14) 61
Game 2: (14) LSU 71, (11) Georgia (16-16, 6-12) 67

Second Round (Thurs., March 9)

Game 3: (9) Mississippi State 69, (8) Florida (16-16, 9-9) 68 (OT)
Game 4: (13) Ole Miss (12-21, 3-15) 55, (5) Tennessee 70
Game 5: (10) Arkansas 76, (7) Auburn (20-12, 10-8), 73
Game 6: (14) LSU (14-19, 2-16) 68, (6) Vanderbilt 75

Quarterfinals (Fri., March 10)

Game 7: (9) Mississippi State (21-12, 8-10) 49, (1) Alabama 72
Game 8: (5) Tennessee (23-10, 11-7) 71, (4) Missouri 79
Game 9: (10) Arkansas (20-13, 8-10) 61, (2) Texas A&M 67
Game 10: (6) Vanderbilt 80, (3) Kentucky (21-11, 12-6) 73

Semifinals (Sat., March 11)

Game 11: (4) Missouri (24-9, 11-7) 61, (1) Alabama 72
Game 12: (6) Vanderbilt (20-14, 11-7) 75, (2) Texas A&M 87

Championship (Sun., March 12)

Game 13: (2) Texas A&M (25-9, 15-3) 63, (1) ALABAMA (27-5, 16-2) 82

Mayhem Potential

Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitter in 2020 with my own additions for the seasons beyond.

Since 2011, the No. 1 seed has won four of the 11 SEC Tournament titles that were up for grabs, with Tennessee’s 2022 title boosting the No. 2 seed’s total to three. No team seeded lower than fifth has won the crown since the conference scrapped divisions for the 2011-12 season.

• 1 seed (4): 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021
• 2 seed (3): 2011 (East), 2016, 2022
• 3 seed (2); 2012, 2013
• 4 seed (1): 2018
• 5 seed (1): 2019

10-Year NCAA Bid Totals

• 8 bids (1): 2018 (8-8 record, 14 teams)
• 7 bids (1): 2019 (12-7 record, 14 teams)
• 6 bids (2): 2021 (7-6 record, 14 teams), 2022 (5-6 record, 14 teams)
• 5 bids (3): 2011 (7-5 record, 12 teams), 2015 (6-5 record, 14 teams), 2017 (11-5 record, 14 teams)
• 4 bids (1): 2012 (10-3 record, 12 teams, Kentucky national champion)
• 3 bids (3): 2013 (4-3 record, 14 teams), 2014 (12-3 record, 14 teams), 2016 (3-3 record, 14 teams)

The SEC should place six teams in the field for the third straight tournament, with seven or eight possible depending on what happens over the next five days.

Last Conference Tournament Championships

Tennessee: 2022 (2 seed)
Alabama: 2021 (1 seed)
Auburn: 2019 (5 seed)
Kentucky: 2018 (4 seed)
Florida: 2014 (1 seed)
Ole Miss: 2013 (3 seed)
Missouri: 2012 (2 seed, Big 12)
Vanderbilt: 2012 (3 seed)
Mississippi State: 2009 (West 3 seed)
Georgia: 2008 (East 6 seed)
Arkansas: 2000 (West 3 seed)
Texas A&M: 1987 (8 seed, SWC)
LSU: 1980 (2 seed)
South Carolina: 1971 (2 seed, ACC)

Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas A&M have yet to win the SEC Tournament title, though all three have won championships in previous conferences. Tennessee’s 2022 title was its first since 1979.