You can't become your own man until you move out of your dad's house.. moving to the SEC, or just about any major conference, would be the best thing to happen to Texas A&M. I have nothing against Texas at all, but they've only acted in their best interest in all of this. For as much as I bitch about the SEC, I truly admire how they all seem to march lock step in what is best for all.. and it's not like that conference lacks bad blood. A&M to the SEC would be an incredible move for both parties. For the extra member, I know people tend to look at it like the video game-esque ESPN mindset of football only but that's not how this usually plays out. I'd say they might want to take a run into the Raleigh TV market. I don't see anything in Texas that would interest them at all aside from Texas and Texas A&M. The Horns are doing their thing and it appears the Ags want in.. I'd bet they look to raid the ACC for the next member and it won't be something that is already covered up (FSU) in TV market or someone who has had their chance (FSU and GTech).
I will add this... if an ACC raid turns out to be a wash and they can't lure someone over... Why not Louisville? From a 'pure sports only' argument, it makes a lot more sense than others.
Corey, The only thing about the ACC raid is basketball. The ACC is the SEC of basketball. Would one of the Raleigh area schools want to give that up? I don't know.
Good point KP, but as the SEC continues to just pour money and attain success in all sports.. do you want to stay in 'the ACC of basketball' or be a part of the "SEC of all sports"? It's not like SEC basketball stinks in the hoops though. SEC hoops is far better than ACC football. Still, with that in mind and I agree in part.. why not Louisville?
The SEC has 5 national championships in men's basketball in the past 16 years won by 3 different teams. In that same span....since 1994.... the ACC has 5 also.....by 3 different schools.
If you are trying to make a case that the SEC is equal to the ACC in BB, forget it. The reason the ACC is the consensus top BB conference is the exact same reason the SEC is the consensus top FB conference - depth. There are more good BB teams in the ACC - top to bottom - than in the SEC. It's been that way for a long time, and I don't see it changing anytime soon. If anything, a case could be made that the Big East is a better BB conference in terms of depth than the SEC.
Louisville would probably be a good choice if you can't get an ACC team. How about Maryland? Good state school that has the potential, but isn't currently a "power". They would bring in DC/Baltimore... I think I heard that all the Tobacco Rd schools are linked somehow (except maybe NCST) so you won't be breaking up Duke/UNC/Wake Forrest. Sid, I thought the Big East was thought to be the best conference in the last 5 years or so...
Scott, you may be correct. Heck, a case could be made for the B12 also, at least over the past couple of years. There certainly is a lot of parity in college BB, as this conversation is pointing out.