BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On paper, the SEC was the best men’s college basketball conference in the history of the game last season.
A record 14 SEC teams made the NCAA Tournament, besting the Big East’s previous record of 11 teams in 2011. Arkansas was among 7 SEC teams that made the Sweet 16, with 4 making the Elite Eight and 2 making the Final Four. Florida won the national championship.
The teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament — LSU and South Carolina — were both rated in KenPom’s top 90.
There was excitement surrounding the league entering last season, but the level to which it dominated was unprecedented.