Was USC’s series with Virginia last of its kind vs. ACC schools not named Clemson?
Six days after it happened, South Carolina’s upset of No. 9 Virginia was replaying in the lobby outside Frank Martin’s office. The Gamecocks are moving on to a Monday matinee with Stetson, but keeping alive one of the better regular season wins in recent program history is never a bad thing.
Especially because the opportunity was so rare — and might not present itself again in the near-future.
Martin opened his post-victory news conference in Charlottesville by thanking UVa coach Tony Bennett for allowing what just happened — USC’s home-and-home series with an ACC program — to happen.
“Because of the history of our school, in my eight years I’ve been trying really hard to schedule ACC schools,” Martin said, nodding to Carolina’s former life as an Atlantic Coast Conference member (1953-71). “I think everyone understands the history of South Carolina, where it was at in basketball. Our fan base wants it. Give Tony credit. He signed up for it. He was willing to do it.”
Turns out Bennett is a rare breed.
The Gamecocks and Cavaliers meeting each other on their respective home floors in consecutive seasons marked the first time South Carolina’s done that with an ACC school not named Clemson since dropping two in a row to Boston College in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Before that, it was a home-and-home with N.C. State in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Martin was officially hired by USC on March 27, 2012.
“I’ve been trying (to schedule ACC teams) since the day I got here,” Martin said Saturday, “because of the obvious history with our university and basketball with that conference, and the rivalries that used to exist.”
The Gamecocks were last part of an ACC that included Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Wake Forest. Annual rivalry game with the Tigers aside, here’s the last time South Carolina, since leaving the ACC, played those other six schools in the regular season:
▪ Duke: Nov. 20, 2001 (on neutral floor in Hawaii)
▪ Maryland: Nov. 14, 1997 (on neutral floor in Minneapolis)
▪ North Carolina: Nov. 25, 2011 (on neutral floor in Las Vegas)
▪ N.C. State: Nov. 23, 2007 (on neutral floor in Orlando)
▪ Virginia: Dec. 22, 2019 (at Virginia)
▪ Wake Forest: Hasn’t happened
Giving fans back their old rivalry games is one thing, getting on national television is another. The Gamecocks (8-4) beat Clemson on Dec. 15 before an ESPN2 audience and they beat Virginia on ABC.
“We have to be able to play on that big stage,” Martin said. “It’s part of the adjustment period. It’s part of the kids getting excited for what’s in front of them (in SEC play). It’s a big part of promoting your program and things of that nature.”
The series with Virginia is over. Asked Saturday if any other series with an ACC school is on the horizon, Martin responded, “Nothing that I can sit here and tell you that I’m excited about something brewing. ... I’m pretty sure we have one more game to get for next year’s schedule. And we’re sitting around trying to figure out what to do with that.”
Just know where Martin sets his priorities.
“We’re gonna keep fighting,” he said. “I’d love for it to be some of the ACC schools — proximity, easy to get to for them and us, and the obvious history from back in the day.”
Reaction to Silva video
Martin was on the couch with his wife Friday night when he watched the video of former Gamecock Chris Silva seeing his mother for the first time in three years.
“We were like two little kids,” Martin said.
What stuck Martin the most was reaction by Silva’s Miami Heat teammates and coaches. They were thrilled for him.
“That’s a guy that’s played 30 games,” Martin said. “Like, he’s not even two months or three months into his rookie year. And yet they’re just as happy for him as he is, himself. It’s who he is.
“Everybody here was worried replacing his points, his rebounds, all that. His enthusiasm for his team, for competing, for life, is the stuff you don’t replace.”
Appreciation for Coach O
Martin took his place in front of the cameras and put on his best Cajun accent.
“Go Tigahs,” he said.
It was Martin’s subtle nod to LSU coach Ed Orgeron. The Tigers took on Oklahoma later Saturday afternoon in the College Football Playoff.
“Orgeron,” Martin said, “couldn’t be happier for him. Everyone was ready to discard his coaching career and he paid no attention to it. He’s got kids that believe in him. It’s fun to watch.”
Next
What: Stetson (5-9) at South Carolina (8-4)
When: 3 p.m. Monday
Where: Colonial Life Arena
TV: SEC Network Plus
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia area
