The race for the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is intensifying, with teams making their final push to secure a favorable position heading into March Madness.
College basketball analyst Joe Lunardi predicts that the battle will be fiercely contested until the very end, as multiple teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) remain in contention.
According to Lunardi, the team that advances the furthest in the SEC Tournament among Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn will likely claim the coveted final No. 1 seed.
Currently, Tennessee and Alabama are tied for first place in the SEC standings, making them the frontrunners in this race.
The Volunteers have been particularly impressive this season, boasting an overall record of 21-6 and an 11-3 mark in conference play.
Beyond their strong record, Tennessee’s advanced metrics reinforce their status as a top-tier team. They rank 6th in both KenPom and Bart Torvik, 5th in the NCAA’s NET rankings, and 4th in the KPI metric. These rankings highlight their strength on both ends of the court and their ability to compete at an elite level.
A key factor in Tennessee’s success has been the outstanding play of Dalton Knecht. His leadership and ability to perform in crucial moments have propelled the Volunteers to the top of the SEC. If Tennessee can carry this momentum into the SEC Tournament and emerge as the champion, they will have a strong case for securing the final No. 1 seed. Their high rankings across multiple evaluation systems, combined with a conference title, would make them a compelling choice for the selection committee.
However, Tennessee is not alone in this pursuit. Alabama and Auburn remain serious challengers, and their performances in the SEC Tournament will play a major role in determining the final pecking order. For Alabama, the path to the top seed likely requires them to win out for the remainder of the regular season and make a deep SEC Tournament run. A key element of their resume is a potential Quad 1 victory over North Carolina, which could significantly boost their standing. If Alabama manages to close out the season strong and claim the SEC Tournament title, they could leap ahead of Tennessee in the selection process.
Meanwhile, Auburn faces a more challenging path but still has an opportunity to make a statement. For the Tigers, securing the No. 1 seed will almost certainly require them to win the SEC Tournament outright. If they can pull off that feat and sweep the conference championship, their case for the top seed will strengthen considerably. While Auburn may not have the same level of national ranking metrics as Tennessee, a late-season surge and a conference title could be enough to sway the selection committee in their favor.
The importance of landing a No. 1 seed cannot be overstated. Historically, teams that earn a top seed in the NCAA Tournament have had a significant advantage. Since the tournament expanded in 1985, 24 of the last 37 national champions have been No. 1 seeds. This statistic underscores the importance of securing a top spot, as it often provides a more favorable path through the tournament. With so much at stake, Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn are all pushing to prove they belong among the nation’s elite.
As the SEC Tournament approaches, anticipation is growing among fans, analysts, and players alike. Each game carries added significance, as a single loss could derail a team’s chances of securing the final No. 1 seed. Tennessee’s strong metrics and current standing give them an edge, but Alabama and Auburn are not far behind. If either of those teams can make a deep tournament run, the race for the top seed could come down to the wire.
The drama surrounding this battle adds to the excitement of college basketball’s postseason. The SEC Tournament will serve as a proving ground, where each team has the opportunity to strengthen its case for a No. 1 seed. Whether Tennessee’s consistency and high rankings will be enough to hold off Alabama and Auburn remains to be seen. The potential for a late-season surge from one of the challengers adds another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling race.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the SEC’s top contenders as they fight for both a conference championship and a prime position in the NCAA Tournament. With so much on the line, every possession, every game, and every tournament matchup will be magnified. Fans will be watching closely to see which team rises to the occasion and secures one of college basketball’s most valuable spots.
The race for the final No. 1 seed is far from over, and the competition is only getting tougher. Will Tennessee’s combination of strong analytics and SEC dominance secure their place at the top? Or will Alabama or Auburn make a late push and claim the final No. 1 seed for themselves? The answers will soon unfold on the court, as the SEC Tournament sets the stage for one of the most intense battles of the season.
