The SEC just means more now in basketball, at least when it comes to money.
Even though none of the eight SEC teams in the NCAA Tournament (tied with the Big Ten for the most) advanced past the Sweet 16, the conference is projected to make more from the event than any other league. According to Sportico, the NCAA distributes money directly to conferences based on the number of tournament games each team plays prior to the final. The SEC’s teams played 17 games, and each game this year is worth roughly $2 million, amounting to a $34 million payout, paid in annual installments through 2029.