r/ACC

I’ve always wondered: is there actually a legitimate reason the ACC hasn’t invited UConn?

On paper, it seems like they check a lot of boxes. Geographically, they fit the conference much better than some current members. They already have established rivalries with schools like Syracuse, Boston College, and Duke (especially in basketball). Adding UConn would also give the ACC 18 football members, making scheduling a little cleaner.

I know the obvious counterargument is football. UConn hasn’t been consistently competitive, and football drives conference realignment. But is that alone enough to outweigh everything else UConn brings?

They’re one of the biggest brands in college basketball, have strong Olympic sports, a passionate fan base, and would strengthen the ACC’s presence in the Northeast.

So what am I missing? Is football really the only thing keeping UConn out, or are there financial, TV, or political reasons that make them a non-starter for the ACC?

The ACC has felt like it’s been on the verge of falling apart for a few years now, but overall, things seem to have settled down a bit since the lawsuits.

I’m a college hoops fan who grew up in Baltimore, so the old Big East and the ACC were the programs for me growing up. When realignment gutted the Big East, losing Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, etc., they survived by redefining themselves. They added Creighton, Xavier, and Butler, and leaned entirely into a basketball first identity. The Big 12 did something similar recently. They were already strong with Kansas and Baylor, but they cemented themselves as a basketball juggernaut by adding Arizona and Houston.

So, what should the ACC focus on?

Schools like Florida State and Clemson are going to take the first life raft out of the conference the second it makes financial sense. Adding Stanford, Cal, and SMU brought in some decent brands, but the move felt kind of directionless. Meanwhile, the ACC's historical dominance in basketball has slipped over the last decade, with legacy brands like Syracuse really falling off. And Notre Dame as a full member is a pipe dream.

The ACC needs to overlook the impending football departures and go all in on basketball. There is still a massive amount of value there. UNC, Duke, and Louisville are top 15 national brands. Virginia, NC State, and Syracuse are big in their own right. If the goal of expansion is to be proactive before we inevitably lose 2-6 teams down the line, here is who the ACC needs to target to build a stronger basketball conference:

Easy Adds

UConn: The ACC needs to go hard here. If UConn has any interest in leaving the Big East, the ACC absolutely has to be their landing spot.

Memphis: They have a fantastic basketball pedigree, a good market, and an athletic department that has proven it's dedicated to pouring resources into its programs.

Could Really Work If You Think About It

Villanova: If Nova is ever willing to make the jump to FBS football, they shouldn't bother transitioning through the mid major level. The ACC grab them up immediately.

Throwing It Out

Georgetown: If the ACC is already theoretically poaching the Big East for UConn and Villanova, bringing Georgetown along is a choice. It immediately revives some of the greatest, most heated rivalries in college basketball history. They deliver the D.C. market, carry a national brand despite some recent down years, and fit perfectly into the ignore FBS football, maximize basketball strategy. Honestly, not a good idea lol.

San Diego State: If the ACC wants to make the Cal and Stanford additions work, bringing in more western teams makes sense. They have a recent Final Four, a basketball fanbase, and the Southern California market. Poaching them gives the ACC a West Coast basketball powerhouse and start to build a western pod.

UNLV: Everyone is moving to Las Vegas, maybe the ACC can too? Bringing UNLV brand adds some basketball prestige. You get to keep building that western wing out too.

Have some fun with this. Throw things out there.

While some interpret Section 205 differently, those who helped develop the language on Capitol Hill confirmed with Yahoo Sports that the provision prevents the four conferences from acquiring any new member — even those in the G6.

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I told you all.

boston college mens hoops

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