The Southeastern Conference has captured attention this year on the hardwood, including that of ESPN’s Jay Bilas. With the sport heating up ahead of its biggest month, the SEC stands out as possibly the most competitive league in the country, showcasing a strong number of quality teams, a notable shift from just a decade ago. While football may seem to be declining, basketball has reached new heights.
Bilas has acknowledged this trend, stating that he believes the SEC is the best basketball league in America. He joined The Paul Finebaum Show to assert that the SEC not only leads this year but is the best league of all time. “This is the most powerful basketball league, top to bottom, that there has ever been,” he said via 247Sports. “When you take into account the modern landscape, it is truly incredible.”
Bilas also emphasized that commissioner Greg Sankey has played a vital role in the conference’s transformation over the past decade. Coupled with initiatives from the athletic programs, quality hires, and an influx of talent, this has led to an exceptionally competitive basketball league. While some college basketball fans might view this as an exaggeration, the Big East and Big Ten have also shown strength in recent years. However, the SEC’s reputation will ultimately hinge on their performance in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. A disappointing showing could render all this discussion insignificant.
