The SEC is coming in HOT—will the 2025 tournament see a record-breaking number of bids?
The NCAA Tournament is the most exciting time of the year for college basketball fans. Brackets, upsets, buzzer-beaters—what’s not to love? This year, the conversation might center on the SEC, which is currently vying to shatter the record for the most teams sent to the Big Dance.
The SEC boasts 12 teams in this projected field, including an impressive three out of four projected No. 1 seeds. Even crazier? Their 15th-best team—Vanderbilt—is still lingering within striking distance of the bubble. The current record for most bids by a single conference (set by the 2011 Big East) is 11, but 2025 feels like history in the making.
It’s not just about this dominant conference. Predictive metrics like NET, KenPom, and BPI continue to tilt the scales as nonconference play winds down. Quad records, strength of schedule, and win/loss metrics are sparking debates in locker rooms, sportsbars, living rooms and fan forums alike. Plus, perennial powerhouses in other conferences have plenty to say about the top-seed line and bubble drama.
Here’s where we stand as of now. Below, you’ll find the full projected bracket, seed highlights, bubble watch insights, and conference-by-conference breakdowns.
Bubble Watch and Seed Drama
The SEC and Big Ten are dominating the conversation with the sheer number of teams they’ve contributed to the bracket. That said, bracketing principles may make certain second-round conference matchups inevitable (looking at you, UCLA vs. Illinois).
On the bubble, teams like Creighton and Rhode Island are fighting tooth and nail to secure their positions, while squads such as Vanderbilt are clinging to hope. Bubble teams in strong conferences like the SEC have slightly better chances to sneak into the field if they can pick up just one or two key wins.
Ranking the No. 1 Seeds
Here’s a quick breakdown of the projected top seeds and why they’re currently on top (spoiler alert—it’s an SEC party).
1. Tennessee (10-0)
With a spotless record, Tennessee has dominated every game they’ve played. Their road wins against Baylor and Louisville are impressive, and they might be the most well-rounded team in the nation right now.
2. Auburn (9-1)
Despite a loss to Duke, Auburn holds on to the top overall seed. Impressive Quad 1 wins and consistency in the NET rankings show why they’re still the team to beat. The odds by FanDuel put Auburn at +700 to win the championship!
3. Iowa State (9-1)
Iowa State surged past Marquetteto secure this position. The Cyclones’ only loss was a nail-biter in Maui against Auburn.
4. Kentucky (9-1)
Kentucky rounds out the top line with a tight resume that includes an OT win against Gonzaga and a close loss to Clemson. Don’t be surprised if the Wildcats reclaim their spot at No. 1 overall soon.
Conference-by-Conference Rundown
SEC
There’s not much to argue—this might just be the strongest SEC we’ve ever seen. With 12 projected bids, all eyes are on the conference as it seeks to make history.
Big Ten
The Big Ten is looking solid with multiple teams in the 4-5 seed range, but it’s still chasing the SEC. Watch for potential surprises from teams like Purdue and Ohio State.
ACC
The ACC has four guaranteed teams, led by Duke and Florida. However, question marks remain for fringe contenders like Wake Forest and NC State.
Big East
With powerhouse Marquette holding down a No. 2 spot, the Big East has quality at the top. Beyond that, though, the conference is struggling to produce depth.
Pac-12
The Pac-12 is leaning heavily on UCLA and Oregon to carry the flag this year. Bubble teams like USC will need to overachieve in conference play to make a strong case.
SEC Dominates
The 2025 NCAA tournament is shaping to be a historic showdown, with the SEC dominating the narrative. Whether they hit that 12-bid mark remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this is the year of the SEC takeover.
Are your brackets ready? Start planning now because March is going to be madness. And keep an eye on the odds by FanDuel to see how those bubble teams and seeding battles swing as conference play heats up!
