2026 SEC Men’s Tournament: Schedule, Bracket, Recent History, TV/Streaming Info

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Mar 15, 2026 - 04:00

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2026 SEC Men’s Tournament: Schedule, Bracket, Recent History, TV/Streaming Info

The 2026 SEC Men’s Tournament bracket heading into the Championship, in logo form. | Chris Dobbertean using logos from SportsLogos.net

2026 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Format

It’s a traditional four games per day 16-team bracket, with the top four teams earning byes to the quarterfinals and teams five through eight entering the fray in Thursday’s second round.

Site

Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville has established itself as the SEC Tournament’s usual home, as it is slated to host right through 2030.

Schedule

Downloadable PDF Bracket

First Round (Wed. 3/11)

Gm. 1: (16) LSU (15-17, 3-15) 82, (9) Kentucky 87
Gm. 2: (13) Mississippi State (13-19, 5-13) 61, (12) Auburn77
Gm. 3:(15) Mississippi 76, (10) Texas (18-14, 9-9) 66
Gm. 4: (14) South Carolina (13-19, 4-14) 74, (11) Oklahoma 86

Second Round (Thurs. 3/12)

Gm. 5: (9) Kentucky 78, (8) Missouri (20-12, 10-8) 72
Gm. 6: ((12) Auburn (17-16, 7-11) 62, (5) Tennessee 72
Gm. 7: (15) Mississippi 76, (7) Georgia (22-10, 10-8) 72
Gm. 8: 11) Oklahoma 83, (6) Texas A&M (21-11, 11-7) 63

Quarterfinals (Fri. 3/13)

Gm. 9: (9) Kentucky (21-13, 10-8) 63, (1) Florida 71
Gm. 10: ((5) Tennessee (22-11, 11-7) 68, (4) Vanderbilt 75
Gm. 11: (15) Mississippi 80, (2) Alabama (23-9, 13-5) 79
Gm. 12: (11) Oklahoma (19-15, 7-11) 79, (3) Arkansas 82

Semifinals (Sat. 3/14)

Gm. 13: (4) Vanderbilt 91, (1) Florida (26-7, 16-2) 74
Gm. 14: (15) Mississippi (15-20, 4-14) 90, (3) Arkansas 93 (OT)

Championship (Sun. 3/15)

Gm. 15: (4) Vanderbilt (26-7, 11-7) vs. (3) Arkansas (25-8, 13-5), 1 (ESPN)
The Razorbacks won 93-68 in Fayetteville on 1/20.

Mayhem Potential

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

Since 2011, the No. 1 seed has won five of the 14 SEC Tournament titles that were up for grabs, with Florida’s 2025 title boosting the No. 2 seed’s total to four. No team seeded lower than fifth has won the crown since the conference scrapped divisions for the 2011-12 season.

1 seed (5): 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023
2 seed (4): 2011 (East), 2016, 2022k, 2025
3 seed (2); 2012, 2013
4 seed (2): 2018, 2024
5 seed (1): 2019

NCAA Bid Totals In The 68-Team Era

14 bids (1): 2025 (24-13, Florida national champion, 16 teams)
8 bids (3): 2018 (8-8 record, 14 teams), 2023 (9-8, 14), 2024 (8-8, 14)
7 bids (1): 2019 (12-7 record, 14 teams)
6 bids (2): 2021 (7-6 record, 14 teams), 2022 (5-6, 14)
5 bids (3): 2011 (7-5 record, 12 teams), 2015 (6-5, 14),2017 (11-5, 14 )
4 bids (1): 2012 (10-3 record, Kentucky national champion, 12 teams)
3 bids (3): 2013 (4-3 record, 14 teams), 2014 (12-3, 14),2016 (3-3, 14)

The SEC smashed the 2011 Big East’s record of 11 bids last season, but that lower total is the max the conference can expect in 2026. Plus, Florida is the only No. 1 seed threat, unlike the four last year.

Last Conference Tournament Titles

Florida: 2025 (2 seed)
Auburn: 2024 (4 seed)
Alabama: 2023 (1 seed)
Texas: 2023 (2 seed, Big 12)
Tennessee: 2022 (2 seed)
Kentucky: 2018 (4 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)
Oklahoma: 2003 (3 seed, Big 12)
Arkansas: 2000 (West 3 seed)
Texas A&M: 1987 (8 seed, SWC)
LSU: 1980 (2 seed)
South Carolina: 1971 (2 seed, ACC)