There’s a fine line between the Southeastern Conference’s reputation in college football compared to men’s basketball.
The SEC holds a monopoly on the gridiron, claiming the past five BCS championships.
The conference doesn’t have the same prestige in men’s basketball, with Florida’s back-to-back titles from 2006 to 2007 being the most recent glory for the SEC.
Since 2001, two Gator squads and the 2006 LSU team have been the only SEC schools to make the Final Four.
The prospects aren’t in the conference’s favor this season, either.
Florida, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are the only SEC teams in the top 25, but none are higher than No. 17.
“As far as title contenders, I don’t see any out there,” said Aran Smith, president of NBADraft.net.
Smith said Florida and Alabama, the SEC’s division leaders, could potentially make a run in the NCAA tournament.
The Gators (18-5, 7-2) remain top of the SEC East after beating rival Kentucky, 70-68, on Saturday with a defensive stand in the final minutes.
“Florida has more of a chance to make some noise,” Smith said.
LSU (10-13, 2-6) will face Florida on Feb. 20 in the PMAC for the first meeting of the season.
The SEC has four teams in the RPI top 25 — Kentucky (13), Florida (14), Vanderbilt (21) and Tennessee (22).
The RPI, which helps in determining tournament teams, is computed based on team’s winning percentage and the record of its opponents.
“There are some teams in this league that are really good,” said LSU freshman guard Ralston Turner. “This is a tough league. There are some teams that could beat anybody.”
LSU coach Trent Johnson said don’t count out Georgia (16-6, 5-4) and Vanderbilt (16-6, 4-4), who are both veteran squads.
“It seems like the teams [that win have] good guard play and are experienced,” Johnson said. “Those are the teams that can play in this conference.”
Alabama (15-7, 7-1) has taken control of the SEC West, holding a three-game lead in the division. The Crimson Tide pulled out an overtime victory Saturday, 65-60, spoiling a comeback attempt by Tennessee. Alabama was up, 42-31, with 15:10 left in the contest.
“They fought in the second half,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said to reporters after the Tennessee game. “Our guys answered the call in terms of the intensity that we played with, [and they] made the plays down the stretch we needed to make to get the win.”
Alabama freshman guard Trevor Releford was named SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 14.5 points and six assists during the Crimson Tide’s last two games.
“Alabama’s playing as well as anyone,” Smith said. “They are kind of a surprise team. They aren’t a Final Four team, but I could see them making the tournament and maybe winning a couple of games.”
LSU has fared poorly against the top conference teams. The Crimson Tide crushed LSU, 70-46, on Jan. 29 in Tuscaloosa.
The Tigers also lost to Kentucky, another team with the potential to advance in the postseason.
The Wildcats (16-6, 4-4) controlled the game, 82-44, in Rupp Arena on Jan. 15 as LSU freshman point guard Andre Stringer was held to six points.
“We’re one of the elite conferences around,” Stringer said. “It’s always tough. Kentucky’s a great team with young talent.”
Smith said he predicts four schools from the SEC will make the NCAA tournament, but those teams are not set in stone.
The conference is at the midpoint of the season with eight games remaining.
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