NCAA Tournament 2018 opening lines announced: Nearly every SEC team is favored in Round 1

The field is set for the 2018 NCAA Tournament and eight SEC teams made the dance this year. Based on the early lines for the opening round of the big dance, there’s an excellent chance several of the league’s teams play for a chance to make the Sweet 16.

Nearly every SEC team is favored to win its opening round game, the only exceptions are Arkansas and Alabama. Given how well each of those teams fared in the SEC Tournament, it wouldn’t be a surprise if enough money came in on both programs to shift the lines and make both favorites by tipoff.

Here’s a breakdown of the opening lines for every SEC game. Note: Florida won’t have a line until the Gators Round 1 opponent is determined.

South Region

• #3 seed Tennessee (-13.5) vs. #14 seed Wright State
• #5 seed Kentucky (-6) vs. #12 seed Davidson

Midwest Region

• #4 seed Auburn (-10.5) vs. #13 seed Charleston

East Region

• #6 seed Florida does not have a line at this time — Gators face the winner of the play-in game between St. Bonaventure and UCLA
• #7 seed Arkansas (+1) vs. #10 seed Butler
• #9 seed Alabama (+2) vs. #8 seed Virginia Tech

West Region

• #8 seed Missouri (-1) vs. #9 seed Florida State
• #7 seed Texas A&M (-3.5) vs. #10 seed Providence 

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com