# SEC Morning Report: Ten SEC Teams Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament **Published:** 2026-03-17 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield **Category:** daily-roundup — **Type:** daily-roundup **Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/sec-10-teams-ncaa-tournament-2026 --- ### SEC Dominates NCAA Tournament Field with Ten Bids The Southeastern Conference once again asserted its basketball dominance on Selection Sunday, landing a staggering ten teams in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the most of any conference. The Florida Gators, after winning the SEC regular-season title, lead the conference contingent as a No. 1 seed in their region. Following a strong season, Alabama also secured a top spot, earning a No. 4 seed. Other highly-seeded teams include Arkansas as a No. 4 seed and Vanderbilt, which enters the tournament as a dangerous No. 5 seed. The bracket is filled out by Tennessee (No. 6), Georgia (No. 8), Kentucky (No. 10), Texas A&M (No. 10), and Missouri (No. 10). Rounding out the SEC's presence is Texas, which will compete in a First Four matchup in Dayton on Tuesday for a spot in the main bracket. The sheer volume of bids speaks to the depth and competitive rigor of the conference throughout the 2025-26 season. While Florida aims to defend its national title, several other SEC programs are positioned to make deep runs, with five teams seeded to avoid a No. 1 or No. 2 seed until at least the regional finals. The action begins this week, with the conference poised to make a significant impact on March Madness. ### QUICK HITS * **Ole Miss Women Earn No. 5 Seed:** The Ole Miss women's basketball team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year, securing a No. 5 seed. The Rebels will travel to Minneapolis to take on No. 12 seed Gonzaga in the first round. A key matchup will be Ole Miss's ability to force turnovers against a turnover-prone Gonzaga squad. Should the Rebels advance, they would likely face the winner of No. 4 seed Minnesota and No. 13 Green Bay. * **Mizzou's Mitchell Tabbed as a Top Player:** Missouri forward Mark Mitchell is expected to be a major factor in the NCAA Tournament, recently being named one of the top players in the 68-team field. Mitchell has been a force for the Tigers, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists. He enters the tournament on a hot streak, having recently become the first Mizzou player since 1987-88 to score 32 or more points in back-to-back games. The No. 10 seed Tigers will face No. 7 seed Miami (FL) on Friday in St. Louis. * **Alabama Preps for Tournament Run:** The No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide are preparing for their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against No. 13 Hofstra, though they expect to be without guard Aden Holloway. His absence creates a significant hole in the backcourt as the team looks to make another deep postseason run. * **Action on the Diamond:** In softball, No. 16 Texas A&M dropped its series finale to No. 17 LSU 7-2, but had already clinched the series win over the weekend. On the baseball diamond, No. 6 Mississippi State returns home for a five-game homestand starting Tuesday against Jackson State. The Texas Longhorns baseball team held steady at No. 2 in the latest D1Baseball poll after a 3-1 week. * **SEC Golfers at the Top:** The No. 15/16 Tennessee men's golf team holds a three-stroke lead after the first day of the Pauma Valley Invitational, with No. 13 Ole Miss sitting in second place. In women's golf, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns are in first place after two rounds of play at the Betsy Rawls Invitational. ### PORTAL WATCH There has been no new transfer portal activity across the SEC in the last 12 hours. ### RECRUITING BUZZ There have been no new football or basketball commitments to announce. ### GAMES TO WATCH While no SEC teams are in action today, the NCAA Tournament schedule is packed for the week: * **Tuesday (First Four):** Texas vs. NC State * **Friday (Round of 64):** Kentucky vs. Santa Clara * **Friday (Round of 64):** Missouri vs. Miami (FL) * **Friday (Round of 64):** Alabama vs. Hofstra * **Friday (Women's Round of 64):** Ole Miss vs. Gonzaga --- *Original article: [SEC Morning Report: Ten SEC Teams Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament](https://secscouts.com/news/sec-10-teams-ncaa-tournament-2026) — SEC Scouts*