(03-10-2017 04:07 PM)XLance Wrote:  The ACC had several options on pairs of Big East teams. Each had their own pluses and drawbacks.
Syracuse and Rutgers
WVU and Pitt (this option did little to protect Boston because Pitt is too far west to be considered Northeastern)
Syracuse and UConn
Pitt and Rutgers
Syracuse and Pitt
WVU and Rutgers

These options were considered because the ACC had to protect the Boston market.

The ACC's options for pairs of teams consisted of Syracuse and Pitt and Pitt and Syracuse.

If the conference only looked past UL's academic baggage due to a conference-defining crisis, WVU wasn't a serious option during a time of relative peace and stability.

Rutgers never really had a shot. The same goes for UConn.

Like it or not, neither side had an option but to help the other, and we're both intertwined. And, so far for the better, both sides are forever changed. The NE schools lost our NE-centric conference, and the ACC schools lost your quiet, country club conference. We're both on the big stage together, and, it's my opinion that the ACC will perform best if it mixes the best of the old ACC and the old Big East.