The SEC and ACC men's basketball "challenge" last season was a spectacle that left many questioning the future of both conferences. ESPN might be on the hunt for a new branding as what unfolded was far from a fair fight. The final count of SEC 14, ACC 2 surely caught the attention of the conference commissioners. If the ACC commissioner is concerned about the football rankings, just wait until Selection Sunday when the basketball disparity becomes even more glaring.

Once a Power, Now a Punching Bag

What was once a feared hoops league is now struggling. After the 2–14 challenge showing, the ACC is 3–26 against SEC teams and 14–45 against power-conference teams this season. The lone bright spots were the Duke Blue Devils and Clemson Tigers. Duke avenged early-season losses, while Clemson delivered a memorable win. But for the rest of the league, it was a disaster.The North Carolina Tar Heels, who started the offseason with high hopes, have struggled at center. Their defense has been exposed against top teams, and they seem more like a bubble team than a serious contender. The Pittsburgh Panthers, who were on a high after a buzzer-beating win, got crushed by Mississippi State. The Louisville Cardinals lost two projected starters and struggled at home. Wake Forest's offense has sputtered, and the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Cavaliers have also been on a losing streak.

The SEC's Dominance

The SEC is a juggernaut this season. Six teams are in KenPom's top 12 and 13 in the top 50. The league has experienced coaches on the sidelines and has used its financial muscle to acquire top talent. In at least 13 or 14 of the 16 matchups, the SEC had the higher-priced roster. This has given them a significant advantage and has contributed to their dominant performance.Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky all look like contenders for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. While some teams may fall off, the top of the league is formidable.

The ACC's Flux

The ACC is in a state of flux with inexperienced coaches leading the way. Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, and Syracuse are all starting new eras. This lack of stability may be contributing to the league's struggles.While the SEC is flexing its muscles, the ACC needs to find a way to catch up. They need to improve their recruiting and coaching to compete with the SEC.The changing of the guard between the SEC and ACC has been a long time coming. The SEC's back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and the ACC's struggles this season suggest that the gap between the two conferences is widening.Only time will tell if the ACC can turn things around, but for now, the SEC is the clear college basketball beast, and the ACC is a shell of its former self.