Here are the average Kenpom ratings for the major conferences (plus the WCC thrown in for fun). Notably, the SEC edges out the Big 12 for first place, but if you just look at the top half of the conferences (defined as the top 8 teams from each), the Big 12 is dominant, with an average top half Kenpom rating of 10.75. When people feel disrespected that we are #9 in the preseason coaches poll, they need to remember that the top half of the Big 12 is incredibly elite. When you are playing any team in the top half of the conference, it is ON AVERAGE going to be a top 10 team. Two years ago, any win over a top 10 team was a major milestone for the program. Also, I am very grateful that the WCC let us compete in their league for a decade or so, but I am so glad to be done with that conference. It has so many incredibly weak teams and we found a way to lose to a couple of them every single year. Another takeaway- the ACC is no longer the powerhouse it once was.

Overall Conference KenPom average:

SEC- 37.5
Big 12- 41.8
Big 10- 42.6
Big East- 54.1
ACC- 65.6
WCC- 154.27

Top Half Conference KenPom average:

Big 12- 10.8
SEC- 17.4
Big 10- 27.9
Big East- 31.4
ACC- 36.6