LIVE: Paul Finebaum Doubles Down on SEC for 2025 National Title—Is He Right?
When it comes to picking a March Madness champion, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum isn’t straying from his roots—he’s riding with the SEC all the way. And honestly? He might be onto something.
The SEC has been dominant this season, boasting the top two teams in the country—Auburn and Alabama. And no, we’re not talking football—this year, the hardwood belongs to the South.
“You have to go with the SEC right now because, I mean, they have more than almost 25% of the field, or they should a month from today,” Finebaum declared on SportsCenter. “These are easily the two best teams in the country. There are a couple of others in the SEC. But right now, Auburn looks like the best team. Johni Broome has been unbelievable. The other school you have to watch out for is Duke, of course, with Cooper Flagg playing. But right now, you’d be crazy—and I’m not that crazy—to go against the SEC.”
And the numbers back him up. Going into Saturday, the SEC doesn’t just have the top two teams—it also features No. 3 Florida, No. 5 Tennessee, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 15 Kentucky, No. 19 Ole Miss, No. 21 Missouri, and No. 22 Mississippi State.
A No. 1 vs. No. 2 SEC Showdown is Set
All of this sets the stage for an epic Saturday battle—a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in Coleman Coliseum between bitter in-state rivals Auburn and Alabama. This will be the 11th meeting between Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl, with Oats holding a 6-5 edge over the last five years in what’s now known as the Iron Bowl of Basketball.
“For the first time since we were at Tennessee, College GameDay has a 1 vs. 2 matchup,” said Auburn assistant Steven Pearl. “It’s the first time, I think, in SEC basketball history, that there’s been a 1 vs. 2 game… And it’s two teams in the state of Alabama, historically football schools. It’s the first Iron Bowl of any sport where there’s a 1 vs. 2 matchup.”
The rivalry is as fierce as ever, but both fan bases should take a step back and appreciate just how far their programs have come. One thing is certain—the road to a national title runs through the SEC.
