With the South Carolina men’s basketball team reaching the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history, Clemson fans are pondering this question “Is it ever okay to root for the rival”?
Lately, Clemson fans have been on the other side of that question because of the back-to-back natty appearances in college football and the men’s soccer team loss to Stanford last year in the final game.
Does “the state rivalry” reign over “state pride” when one of the schools is making a national championship run?
No. You are not a #Clemson fan if you are pulling for the gamecocks to win in anything
— Jeremy (@JVDunc) March 26, 2017
The state of South Carolina sports teams on the college level will have the trifecta with a Gamecocks’ basketball title. Three straight titles, three major sports and by three different schools-impressive!!
South Cackalacky makin major noise in the sporting world
— rusty shackleford (@Swimming_Taco) March 26, 2017
Baseball☑️ #Coastal
Football☑️ #Clemson
Basketball #FinalFour #USC
Former Tigers Ben Boulware, Shaq Lawson and Brandon Thomas are all South Carolina natives who let everyone know if “state pride” matters to them.
Ben, Ben, Ben...you're a #Clemson legend! Don't tarnish your legend status by making silly mistakes like this!
— Jimmy Cox (@bob1019) March 26, 2017
Because I want the state of South Carolina to own the college sports world by winning the natty in all 3 sports? That's not a mistake. https://t.co/4nsiupdSFv
— Ben Boulware (@benboulware7) March 26, 2017
Going for South Carolina? That's a state team!? Ummm no. 🐔🚫 I can not, and will not. #nicehustleplaythough
— Brandon Thomas (@BTHOM63_100) March 26, 2017
Clemson fans are definitely watching the basketball games closely.
Frank Martin just said they had the "courage of a lion", but they're gonna need the heart of a tiger to win it all. See what I did there...
— Ashley W. Byrd (@DaByrdman33) March 26, 2017
Just caught myself fist pumping for the Gamecocks... not sure what to do at this point
— Austin Kerr (@austinkerr_) March 26, 2017
Meanwhile, this happened over the weekend. Could the state get consecutive baseball championships?
Clemson with school-record 15 wins in a row from home https://t.co/Kxx5t69eRG #Clemson pic.twitter.com/idueqoAEKn
— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) March 26, 2017
I’ve heard this one from both sides. It’s cliché. See any rivalry.
As a #Clemson fan I pull for 2 teams, #Clemson and who ever is playing South Carolina
— Alex Polk (@Clemson_polk) March 27, 2017
Several Tigers showed this Gamecocks fan some love.
So is it ever okay to root for the rival?
No answers here either.
It’s debatable and debating plus bantering are hallmarks of any rivalry.
But I can assure you that the debate and banter will continue well after March Madness is over and the fans of each team will have it no other way.