Grading Every SEC Basketball Team in 2024-25

The 2024-25 NCAA basketball season was a historic one for the SEC, with a record 14 teams earning bids to the NCAA tournament. This dominance is reflected in our grading, where the SEC led all power conferences with the most A grades and no Fs. Here’s how each team fared:

A Grades

• Alabama Crimson Tide (A): Despite finishing third in the SEC, Alabama boasted the nation's best offense and made a deep Elite Eight run led by AP first-team All-American Mark Sears.
• Auburn Tigers (A): Ranked No. 1 for much of the season, Auburn won the SEC championship and reached the Final Four, setting a program record with 32 wins.
• Florida Gators (A): With Walter Clayton Jr. leading the charge, Florida captured its third national championship, its first since 2007.
• Kentucky Wildcats (A): Mark Pope’s debut season was a success, as the Wildcats reached the Sweet 16 with a dominant offense and improved defense.
• Missouri Tigers (A): Missouri orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in college basketball history, finishing 22-12 after an 8-24 season.
• Tennessee Volunteers (A): Rick Barnes led the Vols to 30 wins and an Elite Eight appearance, showcasing his coaching acumen.
• Vanderbilt Commodores (A): Mark Byington’s squad exceeded expectations, reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017.

B Grades

• Arkansas Razorbacks (B): Despite injuries, Arkansas salvaged their season with a Sweet 16 run.
• Georgia Bulldogs (B): Georgia’s wins over Kentucky and Florida highlighted a strong season in a stacked conference.
• Mississippi State Bulldogs (B): Josh Hubbard’s 18.9 PPG helped the Bulldogs earn an NCAA tournament bid.
• Oklahoma Sooners (B): A strong start propelled Oklahoma to their first NCAA tournament under Porter Moser.
• Ole Miss Rebels (B): Chris Beard’s team reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in 24 years.
• Texas A&M Aggies (B): Despite injuries, Texas A&M finished fifth in the SEC with key nonconference wins.

D Grades

• LSU Tigers (D): Missed the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and finished below .500.
• South Carolina Gamecocks (D): After a dream 2023-24 season, South Carolina struggled with just two SEC wins.
• Texas Longhorns (D): Despite elite talent, Texas barely made the NCAA tournament and fired coach Rodney Terry.

Key Takeaways

The SEC’s dominance in 2024-25 was undeniable, with multiple teams making deep tournament runs and setting program records. The conference’s strength is a testament to the coaching talent and player development across the SEC.

Looking Ahead

As the focus shifts to the 2025-26 season, the SEC is poised to remain a powerhouse in college basketball. With returning stars and top recruiting classes, expect another thrilling season from the SEC.