Big 12 still best basketball conference?

[Cardinal2001]

On Morning Rush this was the question: is the big 12 the best basketball conference, or did it switch?
We have 4 teams in top 25, SEC lots more.

I think top to bottom the Big 12 is still the best, but it's hard to argue that the SEC isn't the top one, when they have 2 teams ranked about our best team (TN and Auburn above ISU) Kansas and Houston aren't lighting up the rankings either, and they were the sexy pick.

The hosts were noncommittal about saying no we weren't. But at the end Sean was going to the Kansas St. Drake game, and there was talk about rushing the court if Drake wins. Why is that, since KSU isn't the top of the conference.

 

[ClubCy]

This year it’s the SEC. For the past 5-6 years it’s been the Big 12. Next year it could be the ACC or the Big East. It can literally change year to year.

 

[Statefan10]

On Morning Rush this was the question: is the big 12 the best basketball conference, or did it switch?
We have 4 teams in top 25, SEC lots more.

I think top to bottom the Big 12 is still the best, but it's hard to argue that the SEC isn't the top one, when they have 2 teams ranked about our best team (TN and Auburn above ISU) Kansas and Houston aren't lighting up the rankings either, and they were the sexy pick.

The hosts were noncommittal about saying no we weren't. But at the end Sean was going to the Kansas St. Drake game, and there was talk about rushing the court if Drake wins. Why is that, since KSU isn't the top of the conference.

This year it's been SEC for sure over the Big 12. KU, Houston, Baylor and Arizona have all helped create that as they've underperformed so far. I would be highly surprised if any Drake fans rushed the court tonight considering the game is being played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, so not sure why Sean said that.

 

[nrg4isu]

...but it's hard to argue that the SEC isn't the top one...

Even if they are, I refuse to give flowers. They have enough of that from others.

 

[CoachHines3]

SEC is the best basketball conference according to the SAME metrics we used last year when determining that the Big 12 was the best basketball conference.

 

[awd4cy]

Not this year.

 

[alarson]

Its the SEC this year, but its not really because the big 12 is down. The big 12 is rating out, to this point, at roughly the same level as before.

Barttorvig Barthag to this point:

2023-24: .8651
2024-25: .8613

Its just that the SEC is coming in at .9097 right now, which is super high

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

Yeah, there are some B12 teams this year that are not quite as good as most expected so I don't think it'll end up #1 in the metrics, for a change. There is so much fluidity in rosters now that it's tricky to predict when teams might come up short in areas such as overall chemistry, defensive cohesion etc.

 

[Nolaeer]

Why is the SEC now interested in hoops? Most of my long-life teams like bama, auburn, ole miss, miss state were more interested in baseball than hoops, which was a distant 3rd.

Is the SEC trying to remove the big 12's last calling card to the networks?

 

[Big_Sill]

Its a silly conversation every year

The difference between the worst major conference and the best major conference is much less than the media and fans like to portray or discuss.

Big 12 was never that much better than other leagues last year, SEC isn't that much better than other leagues this year.

 

[ClubCy]

Its the SEC this year, but its not really because the big 12 is down. The big 12 is rating out, to this point, at roughly the same level as before.

Barttorvig Barthag to this point:

2023-24: .8651
2024-25: .8613

Its just that the SEC is coming in at .9097 right now, which is super high

The **** did you just call me?

 

[ClonesFTW]

College basketball is very cyclical.

Late 2000's/Early 2010's: The ACC with big brands and high-level coaches.
Late 2010's/Recent: The Big 12 was the first to figure out the transfer portal and "get old"
Current: NIL era, SEC seems to have risen to the top, at least with the small amount of data so far this year.

.... Then there's the "mid-10" for the last 25 years

 

[alarson]

The **** did you just call me?

 

[Cyclonepride]

The SEC certainly had the best postseason/early season, so the early results say SEC this season so far. However, the Big 12 has dominated for quite some time, and actually got a little stronger, so I'm not counting this conference out just yet.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Why is the SEC now interested in hoops? Most of my long-life teams like bama, auburn, ole miss, miss state were more interested in baseball than hoops, which was a distant 3rd.

Is the SEC trying to remove the big 12's last calling card to the networks?

Their comish started pushing BB the past five years after seeing the money and championships start rolling in from football. When its all said in done, the SEC will end up being the premier conference in all the major sports. Great weather, lots of money, and tons of talent to recruit from, no matter the sport.

 

[cayin]

The SECs ability to pay athletes is at play here too.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

On Morning Rush this was the question: is the big 12 the best basketball conference, or did it switch?
We have 4 teams in top 25, SEC lots more.

I think top to bottom the Big 12 is still the best, but it's hard to argue that the SEC isn't the top one, when they have 2 teams ranked about our best team (TN and Auburn above ISU) Kansas and Houston aren't lighting up the rankings either, and they were the sexy pick.

The hosts were noncommittal about saying no we weren't. But at the end Sean was going to the Kansas St. Drake game, and there was talk about rushing the court if Drake wins. Why is that, since KSU isn't the top of the conference.

It's the SEC and it's not even close. The Big 12 will still be really tough but we are at #2 this year.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

SEC NIL collectives are probably the best funded so no surprise that they can succeed in basketball where one or two studs can make all the difference. That in combination with coincidental/cyclical timing of more coaches hitting the peaks of their tenures means they're def the top dog this year.

 

[alarson]

The SECs ability to pay athletes is at play here too.

Its definitely a bit of a worry, that this year's SEC overperformance could be a canary in the coal mine for the pay for play era.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

SEC is the best basketball conference according to the SAME metrics we used last year when determining that the Big 12 was the best basketball conference.

Did they divide by Yaw?