SEC Basketball has undoubtedly been down over the last few years. KenPom conference ratings (ranking conferences based upon the average Adjusted Offense and Defensive numbers) had the SEC just sixth in 2016, fifth in 2015, sixth again in 2014 and seventh in 2013.
What’s weird about the level of play, though, is the overall talent level is still good. Perhaps it’s just the culture of Kentucky, where John Calipari turns out a few lottery picks a year, but the SEC conference has been as strong, if not stronger at sending players to the NBA than just about any other conference.