Knoxville, Tenn. ? John Calipari is one victory away from clinching a Southeastern Conference championship in his first season at Kentucky — just what he was brought in to do.

That’s why his answer was swift and decisive when Calipari was asked Friday what winning the school’s 44th conference title would mean: “Nothing.”

The No. 2 Wildcats (27-1, 12-1), college basketball’s winningest program, would assure themselves of at least a share of the championship by beating No. 19 Tennessee today. They would get the championship outright if Vanderbilt also loses at Arkansas.

“I’ve always taken the approach that it’s about the seed in the NCAA Tournament,” Calipari said. “If you want me to be honest about how I think and what we’re doing to prepare, that’s what it is. The SEC tournament is about our seed in the NCAA Tournament.”

Calipari says he isn’t concerned about players slacking off down the stretch, considering some have projected that there is virtually nothing Kentucky can do to lose a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The games remain as important as ever, he said, because everything has to do with getting better. The Wildcats certainly saw plenty of improvement Thursday with an 82-61 victory over South Carolina, avenging their only loss.