2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket Revealed

Updated seeds and matchups ahead of the conference tournament in Nashville

Feb. 26, 2026 at 9:37pm

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The 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament is set to tip off on March 11 in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament will run through March 15, with the championship game taking place that Sunday. Prior to the tournament, the current seeding and bracket have been released, showcasing the matchups for the first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game.

Why it matters

The SEC Tournament is a crucial event leading up to the NCAA Tournament, as it determines the conference's automatic bid and provides teams a chance to improve their seeding or play their way into the Big Dance. This year's tournament features several highly ranked teams, including defending national champion Florida, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive event.

The details

The tournament's first round will feature several intriguing matchups, including No. 9 Texas vs. No. 16 South Carolina and No. 11 Auburn vs. No. 14 LSU. In the second round, top seeds like No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Alabama, and No. 3 Arkansas will make their tournament debuts against the winners of the first-round games. The semifinals and championship game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

  • The 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament tips off on March 11 in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • The tournament runs through March 15, with the championship game taking place that Sunday.

The players

Todd Golden

Head coach of the Florida Gators, who won the SEC Tournament title last season.

Walter Clayton Jr.

Superstar guard for the Florida Gators, who was named SEC Tournament Most Outstanding Player last season.

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What’s next

The winners of the SEC Tournament semifinals on March 14 will advance to the championship game on March 15, where the 2026 SEC Tournament champion will be crowned.

The takeaway

This year's SEC Tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with several highly ranked teams vying for the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Fans can look forward to a thrilling few days of basketball in Nashville as the road to the national championship begins.