SEC Basketball Milestones

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has long been known as a football conference, but it also plays a high quality brand of basketball. Everyone with a modicum of college basketball knowledge understands that Kentucky will have a team year in and year out that will challenge for the national championship. However, the SEC has a history of other programs competing in the upper echelons of the sport.

Below is a breakdown of the current conference teams in terms of overall win-loss records (through the 2014-15 season) and place within the Top 50 nationally; the number of national championships as determined by winning the NCAA Tournament, which began in 1939; the number of Final Four appearances and the number of SEC titles (From 1933-34 and 1936-1950 the SEC champion was determined by the winner of the SEC Tournament. In 1935 and 1951 to the present the SEC champion has been the regular season victor as determined by conference win percentage, so consequently many seasons have resulted in a tie for first place. It is unclear why no tournament was held in 1935.)

1. Overall Won-Loss Record and National Ranking (vacated and/or forfeited games do not count):
   1. Kentucky 2178-673 (1)
   2. Arkansas 1605-901 (33)
   3. Alabama 1600-984 (34)
   4. Missouri 1585-1089 (37)
   5. Tennessee 1568-985 (41)
   6. Vanderbilt 1547-1093 (49)

No other SEC school placed in the Top 50 nationally.

2. National Championships:
   1. Kentucky 8
   2. Florida 2
   3. Arkansas 1

3. Final Four Appearances:
   1. Kentucky 17
   2. Arkansas   6
   3. Florida 5
   4. LSU  4
   5. Georgia 1
   6. Miss. State 1

4. SEC Titles:
   1. Kentucky 46
   2. LSU 10
   3. Tennessee 9
   4. Alabama 7
   5. Florida 7
   6. Miss. State 6
   7. Vanderbilt 3
   8. Arkansas 2
   9. Auburn 2
   10. Georgia 1
   11. South Carolina 1

The SEC can play basketball as well as football. Clearly, Kentucky is the conference powerhouse but other programs have shined on the national scene over the years. Six programs are ranked in the national Top 50 of all-time win leaders, including the number one team, Kentucky. The recent additions of Texas A & M and Missouri (NCAA probation notwithstanding) will only add to the conference’s reputation in basketball. So while you’re waiting for spring practice to start, pay attention to SEC basketball. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!