Chris Beard on SEC hoops: 'I think this is the top level of college basketball"

The SEC has become a mainstay as one of the NCAA’s toughest conferences over the last few seasons. Headlined by Kentucky‘s storied men’s basketball program, teams like Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn, among others have pushed themselves into the forefront of college basketball during that time.

History says the SEC is a football conference, but Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard feels like the basketball in the conference can rival any other in today’s college basketball landscape.

“This is obviously my first year in the SEC, but I’m very, very aware and I remember those days,” Beard said during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday. “I remember sitting back, ‘How was the SEC a two, three-team bid when you think about the name-brand programs?’ So I can only speak from personal experience, this league is as good as any league in college basketball. To me, it starts with the coaches. Then the players, then the fan bases. I was so impressed with all the places we went and played this year on the road.

“I think this is the top level of college basketball. I also think that the commissioner, Garth [Glissman] and these guys have done a great job. In my opinion, there’s an act of movement in trying to sell SEC men’s basketball. So lots of positives this season from where I was sitting.”

The SEC currently has seven teams — half of the conference — projected to hear their names called during Selection Sunday. Only the Big 12 (9), Beard’s old conference, has more.

Not only that, but four teams in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Auburn all occupy Joe Lunardi’s top 16 seeds. The Volunteers are the ESPN bracketologist’s No. 4 overall seed and the top dog in this week’s SEC Tournament. Compared to the other conferences, only the Big 12 matches them with four teams represented as well. Both conferences have one team projected on the five-seed line as well.

For Beard and Ole Miss, the Rebels finished their SEC regular season slate 7-11, but 20-11 overall. With a 2-7 record against Quad 1 opponents and 3-4 in Quad 2 opportunities, which likely keeps them outside of the bubble. Still, Ole Miss’ performance in the SEC Tournament could turn everything around for Beard and the Rebels this postseason.

They start their SEC Tournament slate on Thursday evening against Texas A&M. Ole Miss defeated the Aggies 71-68 in Colleg Station on Jan. 27, and will look to repeat that performance and advance to the semifinals to play two-seed Kentucky on Friday.