RebKell's Junkie Boards

[bullsky]

What is the second best conference?

Discuss.

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- Geno Auriemma

[comet_fan_97]

I'm not totally convinced that the ACC, head-to-head, with the SEC top to bottom is the best....but that's what everyone is saying. If the ACC is the best, then the SEC is definitely #2.

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"People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel."

[bballfan2005]

[Iluvacc]

[pilight]

I'm selling the SEC as #2. The Big 10 is better than the SEC and has matched up decently with the ACC so far (3-3, with two Duke wins against B10 bottom feeders).

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[bullsky]

The Big 12. They have 5 teams(more than the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC) in the top 25 and are ranked third overall in the RPI just behind the Big Ten and the SEC. Personally, I think the SEC is down. Florida is rebuild city. Kentucky is not as good as most expected and LSU is a tad overrated to me at this point. Tennessee and Georgia are the class of that conference, with Vandy a few(times 10) steps behind. To me, the Big 12 is the 2nd best conference this year.

_________________
"Don't do something until you get it right, do it until you can't do it wrong."
- Geno Auriemma

[Taciturnus]

[ChipperF1]

Its hard to gauge the top conference right now. On one hand, the ACC has three excellent teams at the top of the rankings, but mid-range they have a few teams bubbling under. The SEC is in a similar position. The Big 12 is in much the same.

This question depends on your measure. If you value the teams at the top highest, you'll say the ACC is #1, with good reason. If you value tradition and overall talent, you may opt for the SEC aith the ACC coming up fast, again with good reason.
But to me when you take all factor top to bottom into account, especially the mid-tier teams that make up the heart of an NCAA field of 64, the Big 12 in my mind has an edge, which ultimately puts the three league in a stalemate at this point.
I think the Big 12 gets short-shrift in this question because they don't know the league outside the team getting the press OR assume because the traditional powers are "down" that they league is down.

Oklahoma has a really good team, who could become a great team as this year progresses. Texas A&M is a squad who is fierce, they just don't have the Bert Convy Effect working for them. Most of WBB Nation hasn't seen what we've seen so they are under the radar for now.
Baylor is in the same boat, and they've won a championship. Kim Mulkey hasn't gotten her due outside the Big 12 yet, but should. That woman can coach a ballclub.
Texas is considered flagship of the league, and they are struggling and the perception is if they struggle, the league is struggle. Such is nonsense really, but that a perception. The Longhorns are a talented team, but so far they have a lot of work ahead. I will say this, the Longhorns along with Iowa State, Kansas State, Nebraska, Missouri, etc could take down a lot of mid-tier teams in the ACC or SEC and would be competitive with the upper tier teams more often than not.

I don't get into the argument much because even when a Big 12 won a championship the respect was lagging somewhat. But right now, I have the swing up for the Big 12. I'll put our top tier against anybody. Oklahoma, TAMU, Baylor against Duke, UNC or Maryland. Win or lose, it'll be a scrap.
I'll put our collective coaching thrust against anybody. Coale, KMR, Blair, Fennelly, Conradt and a young crop of hopefuls like Yori at Nebraska, McConnell-Miller at Colorado and Budke at Oklahoma State.
Player-for-player, there's a lot of talent in this league not named Courtney Paris. Texas A&M has some kids who'll be hearing a great deal from. Baylor's talent is young and growing. Texas has a nuclear stockpile who just needs get healthy and get playing time, Nebraska has a young all-American in the making who a lot of people will be hearing about this year.

One other key I think this league has, and could make a difference in the order changing in the season ahead are the fans. WCBB fans are always carping about "Team A doesn't draw any fans, blah, blah, blah!" WCBB fans are always carping about "We don't get enough attention blah, blah, blah!"

Well, verily I say unto you, CHECK OUT THE BIG 12!

Fans show up for these team, even in a rough year. No conference has put a million through the turnstiles. The Big 12 has done it and they'll do it again this season given that the Midwestern Ardennes will be exceptionally brutal this year.

It doesn't seem like much now, but recruits are starting to notice. The turnstyles in the Big 12 are turning, the attention is growing and has been.

As far as this season. To me I'm biased towards the Big 12, and I'll admit it. But its stalemate overall. To really answer this question we'll have wait until we have a bracket and the matches are really lethal.

_________________
The players are the game. Dont take distaste of a group of fans out on the game.

[pilight]

Dang, where are all the Purdoozies to support by B10 argument?

_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home

[eyevolley4]

Well I suppose I can chime in to say that the Big 10 isn't down as far as people would have thought - including myself.

Credit Notre Dame with giving Penn St and Indiana wins over a team who is likely to be somewhat middle tier in the Big East.

MSU, behind a solid starting crew has really been solid this season.

The Purdue loss to UConn on TV was really problematic for the conference to me. Gearlds inability to score was concerning, though Erin Lawless looked great. Aside from that game though, Purdue has really been top tier, taking out Baylor - a top Big 12 team.

When OSU loses to Oklahoma, the argument supporting the Big 10 will be even harder to make.

Indiana has a game against Kansas that they are really going to need to win to keep themselves in NCAA consideration.

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