2026 SEC Tournament: Bracket, Schedule & Scores for Men’s Basketball

NASHVILLE, TN – The 2026 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament is underway at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, running from Wednesday, March 11, through the championship game on Sunday, March 15. Friday’s quarterfinal matchups promise a day of intense competition as the 16-team bracket narrows.

Quarterfinal Friday Showdown

Friday’s schedule kicks off with a clash between top-seeded Florida and ninth-seeded Kentucky at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN. The Gators, fresh off winning both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA tournament title in 2025, will look to continue their dominant run. Following approximately 25 minutes later, also on ESPN, fourth-seeded Vanderbilt will face fifth-seeded Tennessee. This matchup pits two strong programs against each other with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

The evening session begins at 7:00 PM ET on SEC Network with a contest between second-seeded Alabama and fifteenth-seeded Ole Miss. Alabama, led by standout player Labaron Philon Jr., enters the tournament as a heavy contender. The nightcap, scheduled for 25 minutes after the Alabama-Ole Miss game, also on SEC Network, features third-seeded Arkansas taking on eleventh-seeded Oklahoma. These games will determine the teams advancing to Saturday’s semifinal round.

Tournament Upset Alert: Ole Miss and Oklahoma Advance

The first round saw a couple of notable upsets. Ninth-seeded Kentucky overcame sixteenth-seeded LSU with a score of 87-82, while twelfth-seeded Auburn defeated thirteenth-seeded Mississippi State 79-61. In a surprising turn, fifteenth-seeded Ole Miss upset tenth-seeded Texas 76-66, and eleventh-seeded Oklahoma defeated fourteenth-seeded South Carolina 86-74. These victories set the stage for intriguing quarterfinal matchups.

Kentucky continued their momentum into the second round, defeating eighth-seeded Missouri 78-72. Tennessee also advanced, securing a 72-62 victory over Auburn. Ole Miss continued their improbable run, defeating seventh-seeded Georgia 76-72, and Oklahoma further cemented their status as a tournament threat with an 83-63 win over sixth-seeded Texas A&M.

Looking Ahead: Semifinal Saturday

Saturday’s semifinal games will feature the winners of Friday’s quarterfinals. Game 13 will pit the winner of the Florida-Kentucky matchup against the winner of the Vanderbilt-Tennessee game, tipping off at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN. Approximately 25 minutes later, also on ESPN, Game 14 will showcase the winner of the Alabama-Ole Miss game against the winner of the Arkansas-Oklahoma game. The victors of these contests will advance to Sunday’s championship game.

Championship Sunday on ESPN

The 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament will culminate on Sunday, March 15, with the championship game at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN. The two teams that successfully navigate the bracket will battle for the coveted tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Tournament Seeds and Historical Dominance

The tournament bracket is seeded as follows: 1. Florida, 2. Alabama, 3. Arkansas, 4. Vanderbilt, 5. Tennessee, 6. Texas A&M, 7. Georgia, 8. Missouri, 9. Kentucky, 10. Texas, 11. Oklahoma, 12. Auburn, 13. Mississippi State, 14. South Carolina, 15. Ole Miss, and 16. LSU.

Kentucky boasts the most SEC tournament titles with an impressive 32 championships. Florida is the defending champion, having defeated Tennessee 86-77 in the 2025 title game before going on to win the NCAA tournament. The history of the tournament reveals a legacy of competitive battles and memorable moments, and the 2026 edition promises to add another chapter to this storied tradition.

Bridgestone Arena Bag Policy and Fan Information

Fans planning to attend games at Bridgestone Arena are reminded of the venue’s bag policy. Backpacks of any size are prohibited. Bags larger than 12”x12”x6” are also not allowed. Bags between 6”x4”x1.5” and 12”x12”x6” are subject to x-ray and visual inspection. Smaller bags, under 6” x 4” x 1.5”, can proceed through express screening lanes. Diaper bags and bags for medical reasons are permitted but will be screened. Guests needing accommodations should contact Bridgestone Arena Customer Service 24 hours prior to the event.

Outside the arena, fans can enjoy the SEC Party in the Park at Music City Walk of Fame Park and along Rep. John Lewis Way, featuring a video screen for tournament games, live music, and food trucks.