The Daily Gamecock

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy of VCU Media Relatons Anthony Grant could be the perfect fit at Carolina.

Austin Collins, Third-year print journalism student

Imagine an SEC basketball program, four years removed from its last NCAA tournament appearance, sitting in the conference cellar, well on it's way to missing the Big Dance yet again. Imagine one of the nation's best fan bases barely filling up half of its arena, and crowds so quiet you think you're at a funeral home.

I'm talking about Carolina basketball right? No. I'm talking about Tennessee basketball in early 2005, but it really sounds a lot like the Gamecocks right now doesn't it?

Fast-forward the clock three years to present day, and now let's see how that Tennessee program looks. The Volunteers (22-2, 9-1 SEC) have all but locked up their third straight NCAA tournament invite, they're ranked No. 4 in the country, and have a stranglehold on their second SEC East title in three years and their first outright SEC title since 1967.

The Tennessee athletics department just spent $15 million to renovate its arena, and now they're drawing 20,000 people nearly every night. Fans are pouring in to watch a team leading the SEC in scoring, scoring margin, 3-point shooting, assists, steals and turnover ratio.

The reason I'm pumping the Vols right now is because I think USC has a chance to really do something special, just like those orange-clad guys from Knoxville did.

The UT program was turned around that spring in 2005 with two words: Bruce Pearl. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton had a head basketball coaching vacancy, just like South Carolina does after the announced retirement of Dave Odom, and he went out and hired a gem.

Pearl's eccentric personality, no-holds-barred attitude and frenetic style of play has revamped and revitalized interest in Tennessee basketball. South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman is in the same position Hamilton was three years ago.

I don't claim to be an expert in hiring coaches, but if I were Hyman, I would be looking for a guy that can do three things: recruit, promote the program and play exciting basketball.

Although Pearl won big in his first year with a very limited roster, his ability to put talent on the floor since then is undeniable. In his short time in Knoxville, Pearl has signed two 5-star players and four 4-star players, while also bringing in a 5-star and a 4-star transfer. Games can be won without a loaded roster, but having one sure does make it easier.

Promoting the program and playing exciting basketball obviously tie in to recruiting a great deal, but they also help put butts in the seats. South Carolina has great fans and a beautiful state-of-the-art 18,000-seat arena. There's no reason not to have consistent sellouts.

Whether that means talking at receptions, or making numerous appearances on TV shows or standing on tables at campus dining facilities like Pearl, the new USC coach has to be able to sell his team to the students and fans.

I'm not saying that I think anyone can come into South Carolina and pull a "Bruce Pearl," but there is no excuse for the Gamecocks to consistently be in the bottom half of the SEC. The state of South Carolina has plenty of high school talent, the Colonial Center is one of the top three arenas in the conference and Gamecock fans are regarded as some of the best in the country.

Eric Hyman has a difficult coaching search to perform in the next few months, but hopefully it's one that will bring Carolina basketball to the forefront of the SEC where it belongs.

And if you're reading this, Mr. Hyman, I trust you to make a good choice. But there's this guy up at VCU you should take a look at.

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