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ESPN's Joe Lunardi reveals if Florida can surpass Auburn as No. 1 overall seed with SEC Championship

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/16/25•

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Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Joe Lunardi pondered if Florida could pass Auburn as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. After quick thought, he didn’t think the Gators could do it.

This is despite Auburn falling short to Tennessee in the SEC semifinals and Florida advancing to the conference finals. The Gators can cement their own No. 1 seed status, but not as the top overall seed.

So good luck to Florida, since they can add a banner. But they won’t be the top overall team in March Madness, per Lunardi.

“Consideration for sure, but I really doubt the committee is going to make that move at this point,” Lunardi said on SportsCenter. “Two or three weeks ago, I said Auburn could forfeit the rest of the season and be the number one overall seed. They had lapped the field by that big of a margin, but I didn’t realize it would actually come to pass, and they would lose three of their next four. But I think if you look at it overall, and you step back, 16 quad one wins is still the most by far. Florida has 10, for instance.“

So Auburn is going to be in that spot. And if this little losing streak had come two months ago in the middle of their season overall, we wouldn’t even be having the conversation.”

Florida head coach Todd Golden is just keeping his head down at this point. He knows what’s at stake though: an SEC title and No. 1 seed, regardless of where it goes in the bracket.

“I think we are. I think we secured a 1 seed today,” Golden said. “That’s my opinion. We’re second on KenPom right now. Beat ‘Bama twice, beat Auburn at Auburn. I don’t really think it’s a debate regardless of the result tomorrow. With that being said, another opportunity for us to get a really good win. Another big challenge. 

“A team that I would argue is one of the most physical and just tough-minded winning programs in America. Tennessee, obviously Rick Barnes is an amazing Hall of Fame coach. They got the best of us last time we played. Our guys will be excited. We’ll be ready to go. More than anything, it’s just a great opportunity for us to get a championship.”

Florida takes on Tennessee in the SEC Championship Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.