Full Breakdown
2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament Overview
3/7/2026, 6:36:52 AM
Tournament Kickoff and Early Matches
The 2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament commenced on March 4 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, marking the eighth consecutive year the event has been held in this location. The tournament features 16 teams competing for the conference title, with the South Carolina Gamecocks entering as the top seed after winning the regular season with a record of 29-2 (15-1 SEC). The Gamecocks have also claimed the last three SEC tournament titles.
In the first round, notable matchups included No. 9 Kentucky defeating No. 16 Arkansas 94-64, No. 12 Florida overcoming No. 13 Mississippi State 86-68, No. 15 Auburn narrowly beating No. 10 Texas A&M 50-49, and No. 11 Alabama winning against No. 14 Missouri 65-48. These victories advanced Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, and Alabama to the second round.
Second Round Highlights
The second round featured several competitive games. Kentucky continued its momentum by defeating No. 8 Georgia 76-61, while No. 5 Oklahoma triumphed over Florida 82-64. Ole Miss secured a 73-57 victory against Auburn, and Alabama advanced by defeating No. 6 Tennessee 76-64. These results set the stage for the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The quarterfinals, held on March 6, showcased the top teams in the conference. South Carolina faced Kentucky, winning decisively 87-64, with Joyce Edwards leading the Gamecocks with 21 points. LSU dominated Oklahoma with a score of 112-78, marking the 14th time this season LSU scored over 100 points, led by MiLaysia Fulwiley’s 22 points. The other quarterfinals included No. 2 Vanderbilt against No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 3 Texas facing No. 11 Alabama.
Upcoming Semifinals and Championship
The semifinals are scheduled for March 7, featuring South Carolina vs. LSU and the winners of the other quarterfinals. The championship game will take place on March 8 at 3 PM ET, concluding the tournament.
SEC Individual Honors
As the tournament progresses, the SEC has also announced its individual awards. Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt was named SEC Player of the Year, while her teammate Aubrey Galvan received SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Other notable awards included Raven Johnson from South Carolina as SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Shea Ralph from Vanderbilt as SEC Coach of the Year.
Conclusion
The 2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling event, with strong performances from top teams and individual players. As the tournament moves into its final stages, the competition intensifies, promising an exciting conclusion to the season.
