Kansas coach Bill Self decares SEC "hands down" the nation's best basketball conference
Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self has stated that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is the best college basketball conference in the country.
He made the statement in his press conference after leading the Kansas men's team to a win over TCU Horns Frogs on Thursday.
"The SEC has been the best league in the country this year hands-down. We hurt ourselves as a league by having some disappointing losses early.
"But, the SEC — last year, our league was thought to be close to what the SEC is this year. And it is cyclical, but I can’t believe it will ever leave that one or two best leagues in the country [territory] moving forward.”
He added that the Big 12 was comparable to the SEC's level last year, and while league dynamics can shift, he doesn't envision the SEC falling from its position as one of the top two conferences in the nation.
Self is also confident that the Big 12 conference remains strong despite losing top teams like Texas and Oklahoma.
“I think [the Big 12 is] great. I think it’s as good as it has been. Losing Texas and Oklahoma is big, and I’m not going to downplay them at all because they were a big part of our league, but their brand was more football than basketball. I think everybody would agree with me on that.
“You lose two good programs. Arizona is a good add. Houston is a good add. Those are some good adds there that are nationally competitive, which I think takes our conference even to a different level.”
Despite losing two top teams, he also noted the addition of nationally competitive teams like Arizona and Houston that can improve the level of the Big 12 league.
Kansas' performance in the Big 12
The Kansas Jayhawks claimed a 74-61 win over TCU, thanks to Hunter Dickinson's performance. The center led the game with 16 points, while also grabbing nine rebounds and providing four assists for his teammates.
Bill Self's team has now won two straight games, bouncing back from a 74-57 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, who sit second in the Big 12 Conference.
As it stands, the Houston Cougars are top of the Big 12 table while Self's team is ranked fifth, with 17 wins and six losses in their last 23 games.
They will be looking to extend their winning streak when they face UCF Knights next Wednesday.