Last year, LSU was pretty much the unquestioned class of the conference. While they were at their peak, rolling through all conference opponents, they had a home game against Xavier, and I think they lost by double digits. The only other team that was considered a tounrament team throughout the year was Tennessee, who made it in as a 9-seed, I believe.
This year, there is a national titlecontender that features two of the best players in America. That alone makes a huge difference. But there is also Vandy sitting in the top 20. Ole Miss had a pretty good nonconference, including a win over surprise Big XII power, Kansas State. Tennessee at this point seems pretty much the same as they were at this point last year, so they aren't a negative by any means. They're actually in a better place considering they are the only team to have beaten #1 Kansas. We are in a slightly better position than we were a year ago, and I think Florida is roughly the same as well. Then you consider the increased competitiveness from the bottom teams, especially in the East, is there really any doubt whether the conference is better?
Y'all really believe the only difference is ESPN being "on our side" now and the national bias towards Kentucky?
The conference hasn't improved as much as some thought it would, but it has definitely improved.
