ACC Extends Formal Invitations To Pittsburgh, Syracuse: 14 Is The New 12
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 8:52 AM EDT
in Conference Expansion
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PrintHere's the press release from Commission John Swofford and the ACC. Nice things are said all around.
"The ACC is a strong united conference that is only going to get better with the addition of the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University," said Duke University President Richard Broadhead, chair of the ACC Council of Presidents. "Both schools are committed to competing at the highest level of academics and athletics. We welcome them as full partners in the ACC."
"The ACC has enjoyed a rich tradition by balancing academics and athletics and the addition of Pitt and Syracuse further strengthens the ACC culture in this regard," said Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford. "Pittsburgh and Syracuse also serve to enhance the ACC's reach into the states of New York and Pennsylvania and geographically bridges our footprint between Maryland and Massachusetts. With the addition of Pitt and Syracuse, the ACC will cover virtually the entire Eastern Seaboard of the United States."
Pittsburgh's reaction:
"This is a very significant day for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff at the University of Pittsburgh," said Steve Pederson, University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics. "The strength and quality of the ACC is highly regarded by everyone at Pitt. When we set high expectations for our student-athletes in their academic, athletic and personal goals, it is important to provide every opportunity and resource to enable that success. Joining the ACC and the outstanding institutions in this conference will give every Pitt student-athlete the chance to achieve their highest aspirations."
And Syracuse's:
"Daryl Gross, Syracuse University Director of Athletics said, "Today is a day that we will remember for years to come. We are truly excited that academically and athletically we will be a member of the ACC, one of the nation's premier collegiate athletic conferences. As New York's College Team, we plan to compete at the highest level across all of our sports and help to enhance this great conference."
Full press conference is go at 9:30. Welcome to the fold, ROC and Otto.
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Of the Big East schools, these would be my top 2 choices and I especially enjoy their basketball prowess.
Can anyone remember how active Pitt was in their lawsuits against BC, Miami, and the ACC? That only adds a level of humor to it.
ps: I still don’t see how being more than 12 is good for the schools.
pps: I accept that it adds some insurance in case someone else left the ACC, and I accept being proactive over waiting and being left out of the party of 4 Sixteen team conferences.
by Erik00 on Sep 18, 2011 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
pppppppps: Thanks for the post of a non-football topic, I can’t muster the energy to discuss yesterday.
by Erik00 on Sep 18, 2011 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Divisions
What do you guys think they’ll be like? I hope they put the five former Big East teams in one of the divisions.
I'm not sure the ACC is done at 14 ...
But if we are, either:
ACC North: Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, a NC school (N.C. State?)
ACC South: Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest
OR
ACC Old Big East: Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Miami
ACC Original ACC: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, N.C. State
Editor, BC Interruption
Think the 2nd option is the way they'd go.
Both divisions would have a Florida footprint while maintaining Big East rivalries and most ACC rivalries.
F the ACC
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MiNDSET? SWAG-ER-ISM!!!
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Wherever you are, Trick, you are wise, indeed.
Correct, Sir Trick.
You truly are one of God's treasures, Trick
by tricknole on Sep 18, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Now it's time to twist the knife
The presser will announce the ACC tourney is now in Madison Square Garden. Marrianato will find out when he goes to negotiate with MSG folks next week.
by Gopher86 on Sep 18, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
A few things:
1. How much longer will this selective-realignment continue before Congress is involved?
In an era of billion-dollar contracts, and with dozens of state schools athletic departments attempting to balance budgets of tens of millions of dollars, there’s a potential loss of public money for the schools left behind.
"I think Congress has a variety of ways in which they could engage," the representative said. "What we’re seeing is an effort by certain institutions to push other major institutions out of revenue deals and thereby impacting universities. And it’s done in a way that’s breaching contracts."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/sports/ncaafootball/congressional-scrutiny-of-conference-realignment-is-said-to-be-likely.html
2. Will TCU pull itself out of one burning conference (BE) and move to another (Big 12)? If TCU moves to the Big 12, can the Big 12 be saved? Has this Pitt/Syr move killed BE football?
3. People have suggested Big 12 schools should join the BE. Other people have suggested that BE schools should join the Big 12. Who wins in this game of chicken?
On 2 and 3, it probably doesn’t matter. The remaining Big 12 and Big East schools including TCU will probably merge to form an all-sports conference.
Big East hoops – Notre Dame becomes the east coast version of the WCC.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State
Connecticut, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Louisville, South Florida, and a school from Conference USA
West Virginia is gone to the SEC now, I think.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I am OK going to a 16 team ACC but PLEASE no more Big East schools. The remaining BE schools are simply not attactive. As for ND, if they are interested, full membership or nothing!
by 4BC on Sep 18, 2011 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree
Texas and Notre Dame, or stand pat at 14. Divisions are better than pods, anyway.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
ACC is overall a better fit for the schools that left the Big East
Everyone has their own opinion, so hopefully die hard Big East fans will hear me out. There are good reasons why teams are choosing the ACC over the Big East.
(1) The ACC is a more competitive conference overall in all sports, including basketball. Okay there are a lot of good teams in the Big East, and they arguably are top to bottom more competitive in basketball from the middle down. But the top 7 or 8 in either conference could beat anyone in the other conference on any given day.
Four ACC teams have compiled 12 NCAA recognized basketball national championships: Duke 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010; Maryland 2002 2006; North Carolina 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009 1994; NC State 1974, 1983; North Carolina was awarded one more pre-NCAA championship for 1924.
Seven Big East teams have compiled 11 NCAA recognized basketball championships: Cincinnati 2 (prior to joining the Big East), Connecticut 3, Georgetown 1, Louisville 2 (prior to joining Big East), Marquette 1, Syracuse 1, Villanova 1. Big East boast 7 more pre-NCAA championships.
(2) About 1/3 of the Big East teams are don’t even play Div 1A football. Top to bottom the ACC is a much better football conference than is the Big East.
(3) The ACC is the older, yet still the more progressive conference of the two. They have shown the ability and the willingness to survive, to the dismay of the ACC haters. The conference commissioners and member teams are committed to the survival of the conference.
(4) The ACC basketball tournament is the still the Grand Daddy of all conference basketball tournaments.
(5) If Texas and Texas Tech join the ACC, it will be the premiere conference in the country.
In my view, Pitt and Syracuse fans should be high fiving and jumping for joy to join the ACC. Full disclosure, I grew up a UNC fan and attend UMD. Fear the Turtle.
RaidernDC 'aka' Spida!
Boston College fans are high diving one another too today. Our move to the ACC, which was regularly derided by those we left behind, looks quite prescient now, wouldn’t you say?
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Even after I wanted to excommunicate GDF to the land of the Horizon League yesterday, I have to give him props. He was quite the visionary when it came to the future of college conferences. Definitely put BC in a good position.
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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I always saw the move of Miami, VA Tech and BC as very intuitive. Consider that the Boston, DC and Florida television markets combined with that of the ACC (central Atlantic Coast VA, NC, SC,GA) put all the member schools in a great position from both a marketing and recruiting standpoint. The competitve environment in academics and all sports is very appealing as well. Now to add NY, PA and potentially TX to the mix, it is likely you will see multiple ACC games every weekend on the national stage. That is good for all member schools.
RaidernDC 'aka' Spida!
Agreed, but BC makes out the best imo since we now bridge the geographic gap between Chestnut Hill and College Park, gain two longstanding rivals and get exposure in the NYC market, where many alumni live.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t sound like Texas Tech is in the equation. Texas, Notre Dame or Kansas, or stay put I think.
Academics are important. Syracuse and Pitt were two of the best academic fits of the Big East football members. Texas, Notre Dame and Kansas may be options. Texas Tech won’t be.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d actually like to see a Texas Tech or TCU affiliation. Texas is fertile recruiting territory, so a strong foothold in Texas would mean a stronger recruiting advantage in the state of Texas for all schools. I think players would place a high value on the prospects of playing in front of the home Texas crowd once or twice a year.
RaidernDC 'aka' Spida!
Personally have no interest in adding a non-UT Texas school. If you can get the Longhorns, you don’t need anyone else from the state.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
If you’re desperate for a UT-umbrella school, you can have your choice of UT-El Paso or UT-San Antonio. In fact, you might be able to score a 2-for-1!
Don’t forget Texas State! I’m sure you could lure them away from the WAC. Because Florida State and N.C. State need company in the “State” school department.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 1:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What if Texas would only join if it were with Tech?
Be it political pressure in Texas or a traveling factor of having to go to Kansas or Mizzou instate of staying in-state.
F the ACC
---------------------------------------------------------
MiNDSET? SWAG-ER-ISM!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
Wherever you are, Trick, you are wise, indeed.
Correct, Sir Trick.
You truly are one of God's treasures, Trick
But would you really deny Texas if they wanted Tech to come along with them?
F the ACC
---------------------------------------------------------
MiNDSET? SWAG-ER-ISM!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
Wherever you are, Trick, you are wise, indeed.
Correct, Sir Trick.
You truly are one of God's treasures, Trick
Yep
Texas has that offer on the table (with OU/OSU to boot) in the Pac 12.
There’s a reason they’re still shopping around. They’re looking for a home for their LHN. The problem is that neither the B1G, nor the ACC are going to concede on equal revenue sharing in the long term. Potentially the short term, but not the long term.
Texas is weighing its LHN network options and looking for the best deal. It needs to find a significant delta over the Pac 12 floating offer in order to justify leaving Tech behind.
Right
All moot now though as it looks like the Big 12 foursome is heading to the left coast.
Editor, BC Interruption
Take Texas and Kansas...
….effectively relegating Connecticut to the conference of misfit toys.
Things could shake out this way:
ACC adds Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Kansas, Texas.
Pac adds Oklahoma, Okie State, Kansas State, Texas Tech.
SEC adds Texas A&M and either Missouri or West Virginia.
“Remnants” conference: Connecticut, Rutgers, South Florida, Cincinnati, Louisville and Texas Christian from the Big East; Baylor and Iowa State from the Big 12; West Virginia or Missouri; and several members currently not in the BCS (e.g., East Carolina, Houston, Memphis) to reach 12. Brigham Young might even be a candidate.
I sincerely hope they brand that conference the “Conference of Misfit Toys.” Classic.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 1:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree with a lot of what you said, but I have to disagree about the basketball tournament. The Big East takes the cake in my opinion— at least before today.
Disagree
The Big East tournament of yore took the cake. The new Big East tournament with 16 and possibly 17 teams was oversubscribed and uninteresting until you got to the quarterfinals.
When they opened the BET up to all programs was when the tournament jumped the shark. Everyone doesn’t need a trophy.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate the current BET format
But it had NCAA tournament teams playing each other from the second day.
And opening it up to everyone was fine, and completely in keeping with the point of conference tournaments for major conferences where the top few teams are certain to make the NCAAs regardless of tournament results (which is to say making money and providing lesser teams with one last chance to make a run into the NCAAs). I’d hope the ACC goes for a straightforward tournament (especially if the ACC goes to 16) rather than some wonky multiple bye structure, but keeping everyone in the tournament is a good thing.
Those first round games when you invite everyone can actually hurt some bubble teams. Last year’s BC win over Wake in the first round did nothing for the Eagles NCAA Tournament hopes. In fact, it actually hurt our SOS given how bad Wake Forest was last year.
I hope the ACC keeps its current tournament format and sticks with 12 teams, regardless of whether we go to 16 or stay at 14. The DePauls of the world should not be rewarded with a trip to MSG for going 0-18 in conference play.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Sep 18, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't like byes in tournaments
UConn’s run last year notwithstanding, they’re an unfair advantage.
There needs to be at least one bye to reward regular season play, and that’s what the ACC has with its current format.
The double- and triple- bye format is simply confusing and uninteresting.
Editor, BC Interruption
ACC currently has 12 teams
So byes are unavoidable (also with 14). With 16, this would not be the case.
Right
But byes are important as a mechanism for rewarding regular season play. As stupid as the double- and potentially triple-bye system was, it was in place for a reason … and that was so that #1 seeds don’t get fluke upset by #16s in a single-elimination tournament.
If you aren’t going to reward regular season play, then you might as well have one season-long tournament to determine the conference champ.
Editor, BC Interruption
but like the Big East
the #1 is getting in the NCAAs anyway. This is the ACC. Heck, if the #4 isn’t getting in the NCAAs anyway, there’s something horribly wrong (though the ACC was trending very top-heavy lately).
Conference titles are still very important to these schools
Duke and Carolina would NEVER agree to removing any sort of bye / reward of the top seeds. There is a big push at the end of the regular season to get one of the ACC’s top four seeds and a first round bye. I believe no team that’s played in the first round has won it all.
Mark it 8, dude. There is no way a revised ACC Tournament doesn’t include some sort of bye.
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