a T.O. with T.H.

Saturday was quite possibly the best day of college basketball there has been this season.

But one thing I noticed was the constant argument made over which major conference is the best in the nation.

There is no doubt which two conferences are in the argument. The Big East and the Atlantic Coast Conference are without question the top two in the country, but who lays claim to the top spot?

Here are the profiles for each side:

Big East: 16 teams, eight in the Associated Press top 25, three in AP top 10.

ACC: 12 Teams, four in AP top 25, four in AP top 10.

I would not argue for a second that the Big East has more league depth. A 16-team league should have eight in the polls.

But I’m not talking about depth, I’m thinking about which conference would win if the two collided.

There is no doubt about the fact that the ACC is the stronger, better league.

First, it is top heavy without being non-competitive.

UNC, Duke, Wake Forest and Clemson are all elite teams, everybody knows that. But the fifth to 12th best teams in the conference are what make the ACC stronger.

Teams like Maryland, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Miami, Boston College and Florida State are capable of beating anybody, anytime. And if the circumstances are right even Virginia is good enough to win most of the time.

This compares to the Big East which can’t argue the same way about teams like DePaul, Rutgers, South Florida, Providence or Seton Hall.

Maybe there is a small bit of geographical bias thrown in there, but the ACC is much more compelling because they could have nine teams eligible for the big dance in March.

Yes, the Big East might also get nine. But when you think of the teams who will not get in, there is no comparison.

Secondly, the ACC is fun to watch no matter who is playing.

Would you rather watch UNC-Boston College or Notre Dame-St. John’s?

Eighteen days ago, North Carolina and Boston College played. At the time, many thought the Tar Heels were unbeatable, but B.C. came out and played nearly flawless basketball and the team that was expected to finish 11th in the league upset the ‘Heels 85-78 in Chapel Hill.
It was not only a fun game to watch, but it was also a case for the bottom tear teams of the league.
Meanwhile, in what was most likely the biggest upset in the Big East this season, St. John’s beat No. 10 Notre Dame 71-65 at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 3.
This game was a fine example of the slow, methodical style that characterizes Big East play. Unfortunately, I watched this game and it almost put me to sleep.
It was not fun to watch, and it didn’t have anywhere near the “shock factor” that the B.C. upset had on me.
The Big East is not a bad league. I enjoy it because on just about every night that league contains a match up that is between top-10 teams.
For people who believe the Big East is the better league I have to wonder if they have watched any ACC basketball this season.
I certainly would encourage anyone who enjoys compelling, exciting basketball to watch the ACC at some point this season. Otherwise, you cannot call yourself a real college basketball fan.