Well, the SEC only has a shot at history in the Elite Eight. More accurately, the SEC has an opportunity to continue making history. The conference sent a record seven programs to the Sweet 16, clipping the previous high of six teams by the ACC (2016).

Four teams are already locked into the NCAA men's tournament Elite Eight. Four more must earn their place. Breaking down Friday's Sweet 16 matchups.

This time last year, the ACC and Big East were entering the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with a combined record of 14-1 and comprising seven teams of the Sweet 16 field. By contrast, the Big Ten and SEC placed just two teams apiece among the final 16 in 2024 after the conferences earned eight bids each to the Big Dance.

After the Sweet 16 games on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28, there will only be eight teams remaining for the Elite Eight round games on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.Start the day smarter.

The NCAA Tournament is here for men's basketball. The American-Statesman staff has full brackets and Final Four predictions for March Madness.

The Wildcats shot a blistering 12-of-24 from three-point range in both of those earlier meetings, coming away with a 78-73 win on Jan. 28 and a 75-64 victory on Feb. 11 to hand the Volunteers two of their seven losses.

Tennessee’s defense has been dominant through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. No. 15 seed Wofford was held to 62 points in the first round, and No. 7 seed UCLA failed to break 60 points. The Volunteers must forget the regular season losses against the Wildcats and keep the positive momentum rolling.

March Madness 2025 continues on Thursday, March 27, with the first four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Sweet 16 games. Among those teams in action are No. 1 seeds Florida and Duke, along with Alabama and Arkansas from the SEC. BYU, Maryland, Arizona and Texas Tech also take the court.

With the opening line of Duke’s Sweet 16 hovering near double digits, the Blue Devils are heavily favored in their matchup against No. 4 Arizona. Displaying dominant two-way play through two games, it’s easy to see why Duke currently sits at No. 1 entering the second weekend.