SEC March Madness Preview: Can SEC Teams Hit Over/Under 19.5 Total Wins?

The SEC was undoubtedly the strongest conference in men's college basketball during the 2024-25 season. As a result, a record-setting 14 SEC teams, out of a total of 16 SEC programs, punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Now that the bracket is set to tip-off, let's preview these SEC teams and predict how they will fare during March Madness.

NCAAM handicapper Matt MacKay is back to offer his analysis on all of the SEC programs in the Big Dance. He'll conclude with a prediction of the total number of wins all 14 SEC teams will record during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Check out Matt's X account for further NCAAB betting insights and free bets.

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SEC March Madness Preview: Team Overviews

Florida and Auburn earned one seeds in their respective regions. These are the premier SEC teams and it shows in the futures markets, with the Gators the second betting favorite to win the 2025 National Championship at +390 odds. The Tigers are the third betting favorite at +550 odds. Both trail Duke at +290.

Alabama is +2100 to win the National Championship, with significantly longer odds to cut down the nets, alongside Tennessee at +2200. Kentucky (+7000), Missouri (+11000), Texas A&M (+11000) and Ole Miss at +15000 are in the next tier.

The National Champion futures market then drops off to Mississippi State at +26000, Arkansas (+70000), Vanderbilt (+75000), Oklahoma (+75000), Georgia (+80000), and Texas (+100000).

Florida and Auburn are both expected to win their regions and qualify for the Final Four. Alabama and Tennessee have the next best odds to make a run during March Madness, followed by Kentucky's dynamic offense at 70-1.

If Tennessee and Alabama both get hot, we could potentially see four SEC teams in the Final Four. It's not as unrealistic as it sounds.

Expectations are high for Florida and Auburn, while Alabama and Tennessee are talented enough to make it to the second weekend. Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are definitely in sight for both programs, although the Crimson Tide's defense and Volunteers' offense need to elevate their level of play to achieve this feat.

SEC Teams Total Wins in March Madness (Over/Under 19.5 Total Wins)

Oddsmakers have set the SEC team total wins to 19.5. This is a huge number, but we must consider the fact that there are four teams seeded No. 1 or No. 2, while all playing in different regions.

Kentucky and Missouri need to win their First Round matchups to feel comfortable taking the over on 19.5 total wins for the SEC in the NCAA Tournament. If Florida and Auburn each win their region, that's eight wins before heading into the Final Four.

Tennessee and Alabama each making it to the Sweet 16 adds another four wins. I expect one of these teams to make it to the Elite Eight, and potentially the Final Four. That adds two to three more wins, bringing our total to 15 wins.

With 10 other SEC teams in the tournament, I expect at least three to five of them will record a win in the First Round. Then, we'd need one or two more wins in the 2nd Round to feel comfortable about taking over 19.5 total wins. Ultimately, over 19.5 total wins by the SEC is the right side to bet, despite the big number.

SEC Teams Total March Madness Wins

• Pick: Over 19.5 Total Wins (-110) Click here to bet this at BetMGM Sportsbook