GT Swagger,
I'm well aware of Tech's history. We at South Carolina can only dream of such a history........you guys have us beat in both football and basketball, without question.
But Tech has not been as consistent over the years as programs like LSU, Alabama, Auburn....and yes, even Georgia. So, while I'm not at all questioning Tech's tradition......what we're getting into here are "degrees" of tradition. The SEC, quite honestly, is just too overwhelming. We don't have that kind of history and we never will. I won't live long enough.
But really, I'm speaking of the ACC and SEC as a whole, and in that list you provided, you see the teams that are up there.....and that we have to play annually. I believe we play a much tougher schedule than Tech or Clemson or most of the ACC.
And I'm speaking about more than W-L records.....I'm talking about atmosphere and all that goes with it. Given that additional factor, the ACC is superior overall in hoops, and the SEC is superior overall in football. That's my opinion and I'll stick with it. I'd rather visit places like Raleigh, Chapel Hill or Charlottsville than Baton Rouge, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, Athens or Knoxville. There's just no comparing the quality of teams AND the atmosphere.
It's the same way in hoops. The SEC may be good in hoops, but I'd still rather play at Knoxville, Gainesville or Starkville than to have to play at Durham, Chapel Hill or College Park. It's about the atmosphere and the big-game pressure as much as any "talent."
As I say, I'm hardly a conference loyalist. I HATE the SEC teams, except for us and Vandy. So I think I'm being pretty objective here......The week before we play Clemson, we're going to be rasslin' with Florida.....while they have a yawner against Duke. That sorta says it all.
I see this ACC-SEC debate all the time on internet boards, and I really don't get it, for two reasons:
1) It's pretty plain to me the SEC is best in football, while the ACC rules in basketball. Every major media outlet and analyst agrees on this. There are exceptions from time to time, but generally, this is a rule of thumb you can count on. So what's to debate?
2) What do I care what other conference teams are doing? I don't "pull" for other SEC teams. That doesn't help us any. Do any USC fans seriously believe Tennessee fans every "pull" for us? NO! They hate us! I don't like these "football factory" programs we compete with........and I was happy as heck to see Maryland clobber Tennessee in the Peach Bowl last year. A conference loyalist I am NOT.
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