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SEC Makes Embarrassing College Basketball History in NCAA Tournament

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 2:19 PM ET

With the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament all wrapped up, we are now down to the round of 32.

This year didn't see as many first-round upsets as many fans would have liked, with the No. 13, 14, 15 and 16 seeds not winning a single game. Two No. 12 seeds were able to escape the first game with a win, along with a No. 11 seed.

The SEC had an NCAA record 14 teams make this year's tournament, highlighted by No. 1 seeds Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators.

However, the SEC had already seen a good chunk of their teams eliminated before the second round began. By the time the first round ended, the SEC had six teams eliminated, a new college basketball record. This breaks the previous record of five teams from the same conference eliminated in the first weekend, held by the SEC.

"The SEC has set a new tournament record for the most losses by a single conference in the opening week, at 6"

The SEC has set a new tournament record for the most losses by a single conference in the opening week, at 6
— Jeff Fuller (@jjfuller72) March 22, 2025

The first SEC team to lose in this year's tournament was the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns, falling to the No. 11 seed Xavier Musketeers in the First Four.

On Thursday, the SEC lost another two teams as the No. 6 seed Missouri Tigers fell to No. 11 seed Drake Bulldogs, while No. 9 seed Georgia Bulldogs fell to No. 8 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Friday saw the SEC lose three more teams, with No. 9 seed Oklahoma Sooners, No. 10 seed Vanderbilt and No. 8 seed Mississippi State all getting sent home early, bringing the total SEC teams eliminated to six.

The SEC still has eight teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament. They will have the potential to lose four more teams on Saturday, with Arkansas, Texas A&M, Auburn and Tennessee all in action.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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