One image shows Kentucky is still King of the SEC and it's not close

We hear the same noise every single offseason.

"The SEC is a powerhouse now."
"The gap is closing."

It’s a cute narrative. It helps sell tickets and TV packages, thanks ESPN. But sometimes, you just have to look at the cold, hard data to remember who actually owns this conference.

A graphic breaking down the historical NCAA Tournament success for every current SEC program has started circulating, and the numbers aren't just impressive, they are laughable. It isn't a rivalry. It isn't a competition. It is one program operating in the stratosphere while everyone else fights for scraps on the ground. Sure, they have made strides and tried to catch up, the last 5 years haven't been up to the standard. But these numbers show it's going to take a lot longer than 5 years before anyone comes close to Kentucky basketball.

The mic drop stat

If you want to end any argument with an opposing fan in five seconds, just look at the "Sweet 16" column up above. Kentucky has been to the Sweet 16 (48 times) more than any other SEC program has even been to the tournament.

Let that sink in.

The next closest programs (Arkansas and Texas) have only punched a ticket to the dance 36 times.
Kentucky has made the second weekend, the gold standard of a good season, 12 more times than the Razorbacks or Longhorns have even shown up to the party.

The SEC has an Elite Eight chasm, sorry Florida and Tennessee

When you look at the programs that actually contend for titles, the gap somehow gets wider.
Kentucky boasts 36 Elite Eight appearances.

The next closest? Arkansas and Oklahoma, tied with 11.

You can combine the entire history of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Florida. Throw in Tennessee's recent runs.

It doesn't matter. You could combine the best eras of the next three best programs, and they still don't touch Kentucky's numbers. That is called utter domination. Not just a little better, not just a small margin, but Kentucky is the Yankees and the rest of the SEC is the 2000's Reds.

The only thing that matters

Banners.
Kentucky: 8 National Championships.
The Rest of the SEC Combined: 4.

That includes everyone. Florida had a small run with Billy Donovan, but other than that, if Kentucky isn't winning the rest of the SEC isn't either. You can double the size of the league; it doesn't matter. College basketball runs through Lexington. That makes people mad, but look at the numbers.

So, when it comes to the SEC, no one can touch Kentucky.

This is Kentucky's house.