NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Three years into coach John Calipari's tenure at Kentucky, the Wildcats are once again the unquestioned kings of the Southeastern Conference.

The No. 1-ranked Wildcats open this week's SEC tournament in New Orleans with a swagger reminiscent of the 1990s, when they won seven of eight tournament championships. They were so dominant the event was jokingly referred to as the Kentucky Invitational.

There's a good reason the moxie has returned.

Kentucky boasts a roster of potential future NBA players and a 30-1 record that includes the first 16-0 SEC slate for any program since the Wildcats accomplished the feat in 2003.

Though the Wildcats supply the tournament's star power, there is drama in the middle of the pack. Several teams need a strong showing to solidify their NCAA tournament resumes.