Why SEC is clearly nation's dominant basketball conference

As the college basketball regular season heats up, we are getting a much clearer picture of which teams and conferences will be major players in March. Usual suspects Duke (14-2), Connecticut (13-4) and Kansas (12-3) are off to strong starts.

In addition to these stalwarts, we’ve also seen the clear emergence of the SEC as the nation's best conference. Nine SEC schools are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, five in the top 10. 

Entering conference play, the SEC boasted the best combined winning percentage (89.9) against non-conference opponents, per ESPN. 

Here are the major players in the SEC's dominating performance. (All records and statistics are through Monday's games.)

No. 1 Auburn (15-1 | 3-0)

Leading the way for the SEC is Auburn, which under 11th-year head coach Bruce Pearl has jumped to its best start in program history. The root of this success is a core of seasoned veterans headlined by senior big man and Wooden Award hopeful Johni Broome.

Broome is a force at both ends of the floor for the Tigers, leading the team in points (17.9 PPG), rebounds (10.7 RPG), assists (3.2 APG) and blocks (2.7 BPG). His main co-star is rangy, 6-foot-7 guard Chad Baker-Mazara, who averages 12.7 points. Auburn is deep, well-rounded and looks like a national title contender. 

No. 4 Alabama (14-2 | 3-0)

After struggling early on, the preseason conference title favorites have found their stride in recent weeks, led by arguably the best point guard in the nation in Mark Sears (19.1 PPG). The likely NBA lottery pick is the Tide’s leading scorer and is putting up a career best in assists (4.5 APG). He’s far from the only weapon, though, as Alabama boasts the nation’s top-scoring offense (91.1 PPG).

Much like Auburn, Alabama is seasoned and well-rounded, and under Nate Oats, it has become a machine. Alabama also should be in the mix for a national title in March. 

No. 5 Florida (15-1 | 2-1)

Perhaps the biggest surprise team of the season, Florida has rocketed to its best start in almost 20 years. The Gators have a stellar offense, but their success has largely been driven by their defense. Florida suffocates opponents, especially on the glass and at the three-point line.

Florida ranks top three nationally in three-point percentage allowed and defensive rebounds. The Gators also rank top 10 nationally in just about every other major defensive category.

Against then-No. 1 and previously undefeated Tennessee, Florida won 73-43, the third-largest margin of victory for a team against an opponent ranked No. 1 by the AP. Florida has established itself as a legit conference contender and is only going to get better down the stretch.