You make some valid points but in the past 5-6 years only two sec teams have finished in the top 25 more than once, Florida and Kentucky. One has a early ballot hall of fame coach and the other has big blue nation and one of the most rich traditions in college basketball. I believe perennial top 25 is where most of us would like to see our program go but sadly neither our coach nor our tradition matches up in either of those categories (I believe both are significant just not at the level that it seems to be a perennial top 25 team in the sec). Also arguably our top two players this season transferred away from sec programs to play in the acc despite being consistent starters and in one case the leading scorer. It’s hard to imagine us being able to lure top tier high school athletes in the area to play in the sec when the acc is being regarded as the conference to rule all conferences. I can’t say for sure but I doubt we have a shot at Brandon Ingram if we’re in the acc.
As for your last point, I do not believe you speak for everyone. And I find it hard to believe that people were not excited about the CWS a couple years ago or when the college baseball attendance record was broken during the acc tournament in Durham.
