The Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament is one of the most hotly contested college basketball competitions in the US. Every year, some of the top teams in the nation face off in a series of highly anticipated matchups to determine who will earn the title of SEC champion. The tournament typically takes place in March and is highly coveted by teams hoping to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. But who actually wins the SEC tournament? Read on to learn more about the history of the tournament and the teams that have come out on top in recent years.
History of the SEC Tournament
The SEC tournament has been held annually since 1933, making it one of the oldest collegiate tournaments in the country. The tournament features all 14 teams in the conference and is typically held in a single-elimination format. The winners of the tournament receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and are often considered favorites to make a deep run in the national championship. While the tournament has changed over the years, the same teams tend to come out on top on a regular basis.
Recent Winners
In recent years, the SEC tournament has been dominated by a handful of teams. The Kentucky Wildcats have been the most successful team in the tournament’s history, winning the tournament a record 27 times. They have won the tournament the past two years and are the favorites to win again in 2021. The Florida Gators have also been successful in the tournament, winning 11 times since the tournament was established.
Other teams that have made a name for themselves in the tournament include the Tennessee Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Volunteers have won the tournament four times since 2009, while the Commodores have won twice in that same time frame. The Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks have also been successful, winning the tournament in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Odds and Predictions
Heading into the 2021 tournament, the Kentucky Wildcats are the odds-on favorites to win the SEC championship. According to the latest odds from Vegas Insider, the Wildcats are listed as -250 favorites to win the tournament, which means that bettors would have to wager $250 in order to win $100. The Florida Gators are listed as the second favorite to win the tournament at +400 odds, meaning that a $100 wager would pay out $400 if the Gators were to come out on top.
The Tennessee Volunteers are listed at +650, while the Vanderbilt Commodores are listed at +800 and the Arkansas Razorbacks are listed at +1200. The Auburn Tigers are listed at +1400, while the LSU Tigers are listed at +2500 and the Alabama Crimson Tide are listed at +2800.
Conclusion
The 2021 SEC tournament is sure to be a highly competitive event, with some of the nation’s top teams vying for the championship. While the Kentucky Wildcats are the favorites to win the tournament, anything can happen in the single-elimination format. Only time will tell who will come out on top and take home the title of SEC champion.