This time last year, the ACC and Big East were entering the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with a combined record of 14-1 and comprising seven teams of the Sweet 16 field. By contrast, the Big Ten and SEC placed just two teams apiece among the final 16 in 2024 after the conferences earned eight bids each to the Big Dance.

Updated look at the Sweet 16 bracket and schedule as March Madness second-round games become final in the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament.

The SEC went 7-1 in second-round matchups, setting the league up for a potentially memorable March filled with deep tournament runs. While the SEC’s dominance dictated the weekend’s play, the Big Ten and Big 12 filled out most of the rest of the Sweet Sixteen’s field.

With seven of the 14 SEC teams that made the NCAA tournament still alive, the league has set a March Madness record.

Each of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee reached at least the regional semifinal stage of March Madness, setting a record for the most schools from one conference in the Sweet 16. The previous top mark was six schools from the ACC in 2016.

Four teams are already locked into the NCAA men's tournament Elite Eight. Four more must earn their place. Breaking down Friday's Sweet 16 matchups.

March Madness 2025 continues on Thursday, March 27, with the first four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Sweet 16 games. Among those teams in action are No. 1 seeds Florida and Duke, along with Alabama and Arkansas from the SEC. BYU, Maryland, Arizona and Texas Tech also take the court.

REQUIRED READING: Sweet 16 reseed: March Madness power rankings of the teams in the men's NCAA Tournament The four non-SEC and Big Ten teams in the Sweet 16 were taken by four Big 12 teams ...

There aren't too many different flavors in the Sweet 16.