quote:

The Big 8 and SWC were weaker than the SEC historically (which is one reason why neither the Big 8 nor SWC still exist). No way Arky or Mizzou have even a fraction of the conference titles/NCAA tourney appearances if they were in the SEC during that era. In fact, Arky had to step up their play quite a bit when they joined the stronger SEC in '92, and it paid off big for them--their new SEC opponents' strength helped challenge the Hogs to compete at a higher level and they immediately were able to finally use that drive to march through the NCAA tourney on to the title (ditto for their track program, which only had a couple of nattys in the mid-1980s before joining the SEC and being pushed to greatness).

Is this a serious post?

First, The SEC had nothing to do with our track program. If anything, Arkansas is the reason track programs in this league are as good as they are now. That, may actually be the most ludicrous portion of a post I've ever read on this board. Arkansas had already won 14 track national titles prior to joining the league.

As for basketball....The SEC was never revered as a legit basketball conference. Arkansas joining the league in 1991-92 solidified this league as not just a football league, but a legit basketball league as Kentucky was also now joined by a title contender, Arkansas.

You can use what ever excuse you might to try and limit Arkansas basketball accomplishments, but it's all an assumption on your part. Who is to say Kentucky basketball is as accomplished as it is now, with Arkansas in the league fo as many years as everyone else?

Arkansas won 11 conference championships in which those seasons resulted in no NCAA Tournaments, nor NIT tournaments. There are 6 seasons, Arkansas had 3 or less losses, with nothing to show for it.

The SEC is not why Arkansas eventually won a basketball title. UNLV is why Arkansas won a national championship and played for another in the mid 90's. Nolan needed men to compete with them, not boys.

How weak was the SEC when Arkansas joined in basketball? Arkansas went into Lexington and ended a 37 game home winning streak. Arkansas beat LSU 17 of the first 18 games the two teams met in league play. Dale Brown never beat Arkansas.

Let that sink in for a moment...