The SEC is projected to take over as college basketball’s strongest conference in 2026-27, fueled by deep, high-spending rosters and 13 teams in preseason NCAA Tournament projections. The Big 12 is its chief challenger, while the Big Ten has title contenders at the top but more uncertainty across the league.

By the Numbers
  • SEC: 30 players in the preseason Top 101; 13 projected NCAA Tournament teams; 13 rosters projected to cost at least $15 million.
  • Big 12: 17 Top 101 players; 9 projected tournament teams; 6 rosters at $15 million or more.
  • Big Ten: 23 Top 101 players; 10 projected tournament teams; 5 rosters at $15 million or more.
  • ACC: 15 Top 101 players; 9 projected tournament teams; 4 rosters at $15 million or more.
Yes, But

Preseason projections are no guarantee: last season’s high-major conferences were closely matched, each sending 8-10 teams to the NCAA Tournament. The SEC’s depth looks formidable, but Florida is the league’s clearest proven title contender. The Big 12’s challenge also depends partly on eligibility lawsuits holding up for key players.

State of Play
  • The Big 12 has five teams among KenPom’s preseason top 12, led by Arizona and Houston.
  • Illinois and Michigan State headline a Big Ten seeking to build on Michigan’s 2026 championship, but several programs face major roster or coaching questions.
  • The Big East and ACC are projected to improve, while Gonzaga and several strong programs give the returning Pac-12 multi-bid potential.
Bottom Line

Roster spending puts the SEC in the preseason lead, but the race for conference supremacy is far from settled. The Big 12 has the strongest case to challenge, and results will hinge on whether projected contenders turn talent—and, in some cases, eligibility uncertainty—into wins.