SEC Breaks Notable Record in 2023 NCAA Tournament
The NCAA announced their 2023 hosts for the tournament at the tail-end of the month, and eight of these hosts were teams from the SEC. This marks the first time in history that eight hosts come from the same region for the NCAA tournament.
Those eight teams included Florida, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, LSU, Alabama and South Carolina
While Florida made to the semi-finals in Hoover, they lost to Vanderbilt, who ended the tournament as champions. Florida's season was tied with Arkansas with a record of 20-10.
Vanderbilt, an easy choice as a host because of its incredible season, earned their way as a host to the NCAA Tournament after winning the SEC tournament last weekend.
Arkansas, the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament was beaten by Texas A&M after having won their regional in the last four NCAA Tournaments.
Auburn finished the year with the fifth-best regular season record in the SEC after going 1-2 at the SEC tournament, but still receiving hosting honors for the NCAA Tournament nonetheless.
With a 36-18 record this past season, Kentucky earned its right in and finished the weekend with an outstanding 25-6 home record. This season, LSU went 43-15, 19-10 in the SEC this season and earned its right after not making it to Omaha since 2017.
The Tigers lost to Texas A&M in the SEC tournament and were one game off the pace of the SEC leaders, but still were able to receive the NCAA honor.
Although their last appearance at Omaha was in 1999, Alabama will have the chance to make it out of the the regional round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
Considered a toss-up for a host spot, the South Carolina Gamecocks earned an invite from their region.
The SEC, holding half of the host spots in their region, will host along with Virginia, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Indiana State, Miami, Stanford, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest for the SEC tournament.