SEC Tournament Preview: Odds, Favorites & Betting Tips

You know it’s a down year for SEC basketball when for the first time the Kentucky Wildcats have to play in the opening round of the conference tournament. Losses to Florida and Texas A&M to end the season dropped Kentucky to ninth place in the 16-team league forcing the Cats to play a first round game and making it harder to add to their SEC record 31 conference championships.

The defending national champion Florida Gators earned the No. 1 seed in the SEC tournament by going 16-2 and they are a heavy favorite on the college basketball spread to repeat. The Gators closed the regular season winning 11 straight games with all but 2 of those decided by double-digits. During that stretch they beat Alabama by 23 points and Arkansas by 34 points. Those clubs tied for second at 13-5.

All 16 teams will compete in the conference tournament with the top 4 seeds – Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Vanderbilt – getting a double bye into the quarterfinals. Florida is looking to become the first repeat champion since Kentucky won its fourth in a row in 2018.

SEC Tournament Preview

The SEC men’s basketball tournament runs from Wednesday, March 11 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. All games will air on the SEC Network or ESPN. The title tilt is set for Sunday, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

SEC Tournament Favorites

Florida Gators (25-6, 16-2)

A tough non-conference slate that featured matchups with Arizona, Duke and UConn got Florida primes for a run through the SEC. The Gators lost those matchups to college basketball’s elite by a total of 11 points. Thomas Haugh leads 5 players averaging double figures in scoring with 17.2. And the Gators boast the 4th most efficient defense according to kenpom.com.

Alabama Crimson Tide (23-8, 13-5)

There is momentum on Alabama’s side entering the tournament. The Tide won 9 of its last 10 games and dominated Auburn in the regular season finale to snap back from a loss to Georgia in the previous game. The roster is also in good shape with leading scorer Labaron Philon and Taylor Bol Bowen fully healthy after recovering from recent injury issues.

Arkansas Razorbacks (23-8, 13-5)

The Calipari factor will be on full display. With one of the most successful coaches calling the shots, you have to feel as though the Hogs have a chance. A well-balanced roster also makes them a threat. John Calipari has 6 SEC tournament titles and Arkansas boasts a top 10 defensive efficiency rating over the last month.

SEC Tournament Long Shots

Kentucky Wildcats (19-12, 10-8)

It’s been a down year for Kentucky, but it’s still Kentucky, a college basketball blueblood. The road to another title won’t be easy coming out of the first round, but the team showed promise mid-season and has the talent to compete, especially if Otega Oweh gets going.

Georgia Bulldogs (22-9, 10-8)

As a team on the NCAA Tournament bubble the Bulldogs could use a strong run in the tournament to bolster their hopes. Of course winning the thing guarantees a spot. UGA won 5 of its last 6 with the only setback a close one on the road to Vanderbilt. The Dawgs prefer an up-tempo style scoring at least 80 points in each of their last 6 games.

Public Betting Odds Factors

Getting a bye in the SEC tournament has proven to be an advantage. Teams with additional rest are 38-14 SU and 30-22 against the NCAA basketball spread when facing teams that have already played a tournament game.

Avoiding Florida until a potential clash in the title game clears a path for Arkansas. And the Hogs could be getting a boost with the expected return of SEC scoring leader Darius Acuff Jr., who missed the final regular season game dealing with a lingering ankle injury. Acuff Jr. averages 22.2 points and 6.4 assists per game.

SEC Tournament Predictions

After what Florida did to the next 3 teams in the standings it’s hard to go against them. The Gators easily handled Arkansas, Alabama and Vandy by an average of more than 20 points. UF is the most physical team in the SEC and could be tested by a hot 3-point shooting squad.

There is a good chance the title game is a low-scoring affair no matter who’s playing. Historically the contest is a defensive struggle with 9 of the last 11 championship games going UNDER the closing total.