The Southeastern Conference (SEC) basketball tournament is one of the premier college basketball tournaments in the United States. The tournament is held annually and features the best teams from the SEC. Every year, teams from across the conference compete for the coveted SEC championship trophy. In this article, we will take a look at how many teams go to the SEC basketball tournament, as well as some other interesting facts about the tournament.
How Many Teams Go to the SEC Basketball Tournament?
The SEC basketball tournament is composed of 14 teams. The top four teams in the conference standings qualify for the tournament automatically. The remaining 10 teams are chosen by the conference based on their records and overall performance throughout the season. The teams are then seeded according to their records and the tournament is divided into two brackets.
Format of the Tournament
The SEC basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament. The 14 teams are divided into two brackets, with the top four teams receiving a bye in the first round. The tournament then continues with the remaining 10 teams playing in the first round. The winners of each game advances to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and then the championship game.
Tournament Locations
The SEC basketball tournament is typically held in either Nashville, Tennessee or Atlanta, Georgia. The tournament has been held in Nashville since 2015 and will continue to be held there through 2021. In Atlanta, the tournament has been held at the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena in the past.
Awards and Recognition
The SEC basketball tournament is one of the most prestigious tournaments in college basketball. Winners of the tournament are awarded the conference championship trophy and receive an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. The tournament also awards the MVP award to the player who is deemed to have the most valuable performance throughout the tournament.
Notable Players and Coaches
The SEC basketball tournament has featured some of the greatest players and coaches in college basketball. Some of the most notable players to have won the MVP award include Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Durant. Legendary coaches such as Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith, and John Calipari have also led their teams to victory in the tournament.
Television Coverage
The SEC basketball tournament is broadcast on a variety of networks. The tournament is typically aired on the SEC Network, ESPN, and CBS Sports. The tournament is also available to stream on various digital platforms.
Attendance and Ticket Sales
The SEC basketball tournament attracts thousands of fans each year. Attendance at the tournament has been steadily increasing over the years, with over 65,000 fans attending the tournament in 2020. Tickets for the tournament are available for purchase online as well as at the venue.
Prize Money
The SEC basketball tournament offers a variety of prize money for the winning teams. The teams that make it to the championship game are awarded a share of the prize money, with the champion receiving the largest share. The prize money is divided among the players and coaches, as well as the schools’ athletic departments.
Conclusion
The SEC basketball tournament is one of the most prestigious college basketball tournaments in the country. The tournament features 14 teams, with the top four teams receiving an automatic berth to the tournament. The tournament is held annually in either Nashville, Tennessee or Atlanta, Georgia and is broadcast on a variety of networks. The tournament also awards the MVP award to the player with the most valuable performance throughout the tournament. Attendance at the tournament has been steadily increasing and tickets for the tournament are available for purchase online. The tournament also offers a variety of prize money for the winning teams.