SEC Reaches New Heights, Cinderella Misses the Ball in NCAA Tournament

The SEC landed a record seven teams in the Sweet 16.

The Ole Miss Rebels celebrate after a win over the Iowa State Cyclones 91-78 in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on March 23, 2025. Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Sweet 16 has a magnificent seven in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The SEC landed a record seven teams in the Sweet 16 over the weekend, and none of the remaining teams are a Cinderella from a mid-major conference. Sixth-seeded Ole Miss became the seventh SEC team to advance to the tournament’s third round on Sunday night with a 91–78 win over No. 3 seed Iowa State.