- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Florida Separates from SEC Pack in Final Basketball Power Rankings
Gators cement top spot, but Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee remain close contenders as March Madness approaches
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As the SEC men's basketball regular season comes to a close, the Florida Gators have solidified their position at the top of the conference in our final power rankings. While the league lacks the depth and national title contenders it possessed last season, the SEC is still projected to send multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee round out the top contenders behind Florida, with each team posing a threat in the postseason.
Why it matters
The SEC's performance this season will have major implications for the conference's representation and seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. With Florida establishing itself as the clear frontrunner, the battle for positioning behind the Gators will be crucial as teams jockey for favorable matchups and seeding in March Madness.
The details
Florida cemented its status as the class of the SEC with a dominant 34-point victory over Arkansas, solidifying its place atop the final power rankings. Arkansas has been consistently beating up on inferior opponents but falling to the top teams in the conference. Alabama can outshoot anyone in the SEC, but its rebounding will be key to its postseason success. Tennessee has been surging, and a healthy Nate Ament could propel the Vols deep into the tournament.
- The SEC regular season reached its final checkpoint on March 5.
- The conference and national tournaments are approaching.
The players
Florida Gators
The top-ranked team in the final SEC power rankings, the Florida Gators have separated themselves from the pack and are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The second-ranked team in the final SEC power rankings, the Arkansas Razorbacks have been consistently beating up on inferior opponents but falling to the top teams in the conference.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The third-ranked team in the final SEC power rankings, the Alabama Crimson Tide can outshoot anyone in the SEC, but their rebounding will be key to their postseason success.
Tennessee Volunteers
The fourth-ranked team in the final SEC power rankings, the Tennessee Volunteers have been surging, and a healthy Nate Ament could propel them deep into the tournament.
Nate Ament
A key player for the Tennessee Volunteers, Nate Ament's health will be crucial to the team's postseason success.
What’s next
The SEC Tournament will take place in the coming weeks, with teams jockeying for favorable seeding and matchups in the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
While the SEC may lack the depth and national title contenders it possessed last season, the conference is still projected to send multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. The battle for positioning behind the dominant Florida Gators will be crucial, with Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee all posing threats in the postseason.
