As March Madness approaches, the Southeastern Conference is mounting an unmatched push for multiple No. 1 seeds in the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Auburn University, led by standout center Johni Broome, currently leads the pack, while Duke University and the University of Alabama round out the projected top seeds. The SEC’s dominance extends past the top spots, with five conference teams positioned in the top eight overall seeds.
The Blue Devils, riding a 15-game winning streak, and Auburn, with 13 consecutive victories, have become visible as clear tournament favorites. Duke’s freshman, Cooper Flagg, has been particularly contributory to their success, including a decisive victory over arch-rival University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Auburn has successfully fended off upset bids from Louisiana State University and Ole Miss, securing double-digit road victories in both contests.
“With Auburn being in the SEC, I have watched plenty of conference games this year, “ said Will Nelson, a junior management major. “I believe this year is the most competitive it’s ever been because the playing field has been leveled because of the new era of name, image and likeness.”
Name, image and likeness, or NIL, is the ability for college athletes to make a profit off of their name and playing ability, and by doing this, many of these teams on the SEC can pay big-time players to come to their programs.
Furthermore, Alabama has solidified its position in the top three behind sharp-shooter Mark Sears, bolstering its resume with victories over Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia. Over their past seven games, the Bulldogs have struggled, posting just two wins against five losses. Their only victories came in overtime matchups—one on the road against South Carolina and another at home versus Ole Miss.
“The younger guys in the NCAA have been bringing an electric factor to the game, and for my team, UGA is doing better than I thought with freshman talent Asa Newell, ” said Davis King, a junior at Central Georgia Tech College.
Yet, recent progress has shown vulnerability among some SEC contenders, with Mississippi State facing a particularly challenging stretch after dropping five of their last seven games, including a surprising 27-point home loss to the University of Missouri.
The race for remaining top seeds has seen significant movement, with Iowa State University, the University of Florida, the University of Houston, Marquette University and Michigan State University all tripping in recent games.
Despite the University of Tennessee’s impressive 20-point victory over Florida without key players Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic, their earlier home loss to the University of Kentucky has positioned them closer to a No. 3 seed. Houston remains a strong contender following a convincing 14-point road win at West Virginia University.
The Big 12 conference continues to deliver noticeable finishes. Texas Tech University upset Houston on Chance McMillian’s decisive free throws, while Baylor University shocked the University of Kansas by overcoming a 21-point deficit. North Carolina’s struggles have escalated with a 13-10 record, likely ending their hopes for a high tournament seed.
In the Big East, the University of Connecticut maintains its dominance despite missing freshman Liam McNeeley, showcasing exceptional shooting efficiency at 60% from the field. St. John’s University strengthens its tournament case with key wins over Georgetown University and Providence College, maintaining a perfect record outside of Quad 1 competition.
Possibly the most compelling turnaround story comes from the Big Ten, where the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has dramatically reversed its fortunes after a six-game losing streak threatened their tournament hopes. The Cornhuskers, who started the season 12-2 with notable wins over Creighton University, the University of California, Los Angeles and Indiana University, have roared back into tournament contention behind Brice Williams’ exceptional performances.
Williams led Nebraska to consecutive Quad 1 victories, posting 27 points in an overtime win against the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and following up with 28 points at the University of Oregon. These wins, particularly against an Oregon team boasting eight Quad 1 victories, have thrust Nebraska back into the tournament conversation after falling out of bracket projections just weeks ago.
As the season enters its final weeks, teams are making their final pushes for tournament positioning. The unfolding of exceptional freshman talent, combined with traditional powerhouse programs maintaining their dominance, suggests this year’s March Madness could be one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments in recent memory.