Florida Gators vs Alabama SEC Baseketball Tournament matchup could decide final No. 1 seed
The SEC Tournament semifinal between the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday should decide which program gets the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi.
With Selection Sunday being just one day away, it's the busiest time of the season for bracketologists such as Lunardi, who have spent all year trying to figure out which 68 teams will make the NCAA Tournament field. Florida has long been considered a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, but the Gators don't quite have the same résumé as Auburn, Duke and Houston. Lunardi says Auburn is in regardless of what happens in the final two days of the SEC Tournament, and the other two programs have all but solidified their No. 1-seed status by making their respective conference tournament finals.
Ahead of Saturday's game, Lunardi has Florida as the No. 1 seed in the West Region, along with Michigan State, Kentucky and Arizona as the respective Nos. 2-4 seeds.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 15, 2025
Lunardi believes that the SEC will send 13 programs to the Big Dance this year, five more than the projected numbers for the Big Ten and Big 12. Along with projected No. 1 seeds Auburn and Florida, Alabama and Tennessee are the top two No. 2 seeds, Kentucky is the fourth No. 3 seed (No. 12 overall) and Texas A&M is the third No. 4 seed (No. 14 overall).
Lunardi includes Arkansas and Oklahoma as part of his Last Four Byes category and has Vanderbilt sneaking into the tournament as one of the Last Four In. Texas is the only SEC team that is close to a tournament bid but projected to miss the field as part of Lunardi's First Four Out.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators men's basketball vs Alabama to decide final No. 1 seed
Topics
-
Florida Gators men's basketball advances to SEC Tournament title game with blowout of Bama
Things started off competitive, but the Florida Gators ran away with it in the second half of an SEC Tournament semifinal matchup against Alabama.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Could March Madness No. 1 seed be on the line for Alabama basketball vs Florida?
A spot in the SEC championship game may not be the only thing on the line between Alabama basketball and Florida Saturday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Instant Reactions: Alabama falls to Florida in SEC Tournament semifinals
The Alabama Crimson Tide saw their time at the SEC Tournament come to an end Saturday afternoon with a 104-82 loss to the Florida Gators.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
SEC Tournament - Alabama vs. Florida Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 11h -
How to watch: No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida in SEC Tournament
Here’s everything you need to nkow about Saturday’s SEC Tournament semifinal game between Alabama and Florida.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Can Alabama beat Florida in the SEC Tournament? ESPN gives game odds
Alabama got 21 points from Labaron Philon in its rout of Kentucky in the SEC Tournament Friday. Up next for the Crimson Tide are the Florida Gators.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Can Florida basketball topple 'Bama again? Scouting report, prediction for SEC Tournament matchup
Florida basketball gets a rematch with Alabama in the SEC Tournament semifinals after beating the Crimson Tide earlier this monthYahoo Sports - 16h -
Bracketology: SEC likely assured two No. 1 seeds in NCAA Tournament after losses by Auburn, Michigan State
Jerry Palm projects the winner of the SEC Tournament will join Auburn, Duke and Houston as the fourth No. 1 seedCBS Sports - 46m -
Stephen A. Smith after Florida's SEC Tournament win over Alabama: 'They look real as hell'
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was extremely impressed with the Florida Gators after their win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament SemifinalsYahoo Sports - 1h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Hess lifts Liberty to a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee to claim Conference USA title, NCAA berth
Emma Hess drilled a deep 3-pointer with more than a minute left to give Liberty a six-point lead and added a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to secure a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Fantastic finishes in Big Ten semifinals deliver March Madness feel heading into championship game
Tre Donaldson made the drive of his life on Saturday, going the length of the floor for a buzzer-beating layup to send No. 22 Michigan into the Big Ten Tournament title game. Michigan State guard ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Tired of 'getting punked,' Michigan basketball flexes muscle as it stuns Maryland at buzzer
"We're thinking about one thing right now, that's beat Wisconsin," said Rubin Jones. "We're playing for a championship, that's what we came here for."Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Goodhue ends girls basketball season with win in third-place game
Mar. 15—ST. PAUL — Goodhue finished its sterling season on a winning note, beating Sleep Eye St. Mary's 68-61 in the state Class 1A girls basketball tournament third-place game at Gangelhoff ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Girls basketball state tournament schedules
Mar. 15—QUARTERFINALS Thursday, March 13 —At Maturi Pavilion Goodhue 76, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 47 West Central Area 61, Cromwel-Wright 54 MACCRAY 55, Mayer Lutheran 51 Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's ...Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 8m -
Hess lifts Liberty to a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee to claim Conference USA title, NCAA berth
Emma Hess drilled a deep 3-pointer with more than a minute left to give Liberty a six-point lead and added a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to secure a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Fantastic finishes in Big Ten semifinals deliver March Madness feel heading into championship game
Tre Donaldson made the drive of his life on Saturday, going the length of the floor for a buzzer-beating layup to send No. 22 Michigan into the Big Ten Tournament title game. Michigan State guard ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Alex Ovechkin goals tracker: Capitals star eight away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record
At his current pace, Ovechkin could surpass 'The Great One' before the end of the seasonCBS Sports - 15m -
Tired of 'getting punked,' Michigan basketball flexes muscle as it stuns Maryland at buzzer
"We're thinking about one thing right now, that's beat Wisconsin," said Rubin Jones. "We're playing for a championship, that's what we came here for."Yahoo Sports - 17m