As quickly as they reentered and won 3 Basketball titles (2 Men and 1 Women) do you think they will leave again to join a P4 conference (mostly ACC or possibly Big 12)

Most Husky fans I talked to said it's not worth leaving the Big East again for Football and some thought Football should move down to FCS so it doesn't effect their Big East future. But that was before their best season since 2007 which was a 9-4 record with a bowl win and being good consistently is the next question that these Power Conferences are probably looking at.

I think as soon as the ACC implodes mostly around 2030 then UConn might be interested in that conference

Another option is Pitinos and Coach K's suggestion of a ACC/Big East merger so no one leaves.

(07-21-2025 04:35 PM)UConnfan95 Wrote:  As quickly as they reentered and won 3 Basketball titles (2 Men and 1 Women) do you think they will leave again to join a P4 conference (mostly ACC or possibly Big 12)

Most Husky fans I talked to said it's not worth leaving the Big East again for Football and some thought Football should move down to FCS so it doesn't effect their Big East future. But that was before their best season since 2007 which was a 9-4 record with a bowl win and being good consistently is the next question that these Power Conferences are probably looking at.

I think as soon as the ACC implodes mostly around 2030 then UConn might be interested in that conference

Another option is Pitinos and Coach K's suggestion of a ACC/Big East merger so no one leaves.

I see this is your first post, so welcome to the board.

I have posted many times that I could easily see UConn remaining in the Big East for many years — but just as easily see UConn moving to either the ACC or Big 12.

An ACC and Big East merger would have me highly intrigued.

Welcome to the board!

The great news for UConn today is that its current configuration is sustainable. Fan support and interest is strongly back for basketball by being in the Big East, and it is once again competing for NCs. Football is also in a solid position - while an Independent, it is scheduling smartly by getting regular P5 games, and scheduling others that it can win and become bowl eligible. The draw-back is lack of conference bowl tie-ins, but in today's era, as long as you get to 6 wins, it will be hard to be kept out (with teams opting-out or ineligible).

I view UConn wanting to be in the ACC of today, not the ACC ten years from now. With the recent FSU/Clemson amendment to their TV payouts, it is only a matter of time as to when those two (and UNC) leave the ACC (and others will probably follow). When that happens, the Big 12 will be waiting with open arms to expand with the left-behind ACC brands, but certainly not all - and UConn, respectively, falls behind many of them from an all-sports (i.e. football) perspective. An ACC without UNC, Duke, Louisville, Virginia and even ND should not be as appealing as what the current BE presents to UConn (just MO). And even then, an ACC back-filled with potential schools like Memphis, USF and Tulane - well, that was the type of league that UConn ran away from.

UConn can continue to be a dominant force in men's basketball in the Big East. I just don't think they will have the support to be added as an all-sports member to the current forms of the Big 12 or ACC.

Welcome!
I expect UConn to go to the ACC, provided they have limited defections, once(if) the B1G and SEC expand.

I also expect the ACC and B12 to battle for members. Who will win? The answer to that question opens up many possible future

Hypothetically, let's suppose the ACC loses the following:

Stanford (to Big Ten)
Miami (to Big Ten)
North Carolina (to SEC)
Duke (to SEC)
Florida State (to SEC)
Clemson (to SEC)

I'm not sure California would want to remain in the ACC in such a scenario but, for the sake of the discussion, let's say it does.

Left in the ACC are 12 members:

Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Louisville
Virginia
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
SMU
California

In this scenario, I would think USF and Tulane are almost certain ACC adds. Memphis very likely could be, as could be perhaps even Oregon State and San Diego State. So let's assume we have this 17-member ACC:

Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Louisville
Virginia
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
SMU
California
Oregon State
San Diego State
Tulane
USF
Memphis

Does UConn join that league? Obviously, it would depend (in part) on the TV contract payout. But my gut feeling is ... yes. UConn would join.

And, of course, there are wildcard scenarios:

1. The ACC after losing some members seeks to add UConn and some East Coast Big East members (specifically, Nova, St. John's and Georgetown).

2. The ACC after losing some members "merges" with the full Big East

3. The ACC after losing some members "merges" with the full Big 12 (with that entity not inviting USF, UConn, Memphis, Tulane, Oregon State, SDSU, etc.)

4. The ACC after losing some members seeks to add only, say, UConn and USF.

We just don't know. But we do know more change is coming. And we know that if we live in a world in which Cal and Stanford can join the ACC and Florida State football is considered M2 and Vanderbilt football is considered P2 ... well, then just about anything is possible.

For whatever it's worth, I don't feel the Big East is "fully safe." In fact, the only three DI conferences of note that are fully secure are the SEC, the Big Ten and the Ivy League. All the other DI conferences ... uncertain futures.

Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

(07-31-2025 02:49 PM)kmdhoya Wrote:  Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

(08-08-2025 11:06 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(07-31-2025 02:49 PM)kmdhoya Wrote:  Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

I'm terrible at predicting things, Nameless. But I could see the SEC adding UNC, Duke, Clemson and Florida State to get to 20 and the Big Ten adding Miami, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Stanford and Arizona State to go to 24.

Assuming the ACC and Big 12 don't merge at that point, that could open the door for UConn to join either league.

So if UConn heads to the ACC, this could be the lineup:

UConn
Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU

That's 12 members. And I could see the additions of Tulane, USF and Oregon State (maybe even Memphis in this scenario).

That would be a quality all-sports league for UConn.

Of course if the Big 12 loses Kansas, Colorado and Arizona State (in this hypothetical), replacements could be Oregon State, San Diego State and Memphis.

Either way, UConn should land a seat at the "big boy table."

I tend to think that Memphis and UConn are destined to end up in the same conference. The advantages for UConn are being a basketball blue blood and above average academics, their disadvantages are football prowess. Memphis has advantages in football prowess and money (fortune500 corporate sponsorship) good but not blue blooded basketball. Their big disadvantage is average but not great academics. However if a conference was in need of a best of the rest combo, I think they would become an interesting combo.

(08-09-2025 03:59 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(08-08-2025 11:06 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(07-31-2025 02:49 PM)kmdhoya Wrote:  Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

I'm terrible at predicting things, Nameless. But I could see the SEC adding UNC, Duke, Clemson and Florida State to get to 20 and the Big Ten adding Miami, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Stanford and Arizona State to go to 24.

Assuming the ACC and Big 12 don't merge at that point, that could open the door for UConn to join either league.

So if UConn heads to the ACC, this could be the lineup:

UConn
Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU

That's 12 members. And I could see the additions of Tulane, USF and Oregon State (maybe even Memphis in this scenario).

That would be a quality all-sports league for UConn.

Of course if the Big 12 loses Kansas, Colorado and Arizona State (in this hypothetical), replacements could be Oregon State, San Diego State and Memphis.

Either way, UConn should land a seat at the "big boy table."

Sorry Bill, guess I never saw this post!

It would indeed be a quality all sports league. I think Memphis would definitely be added to it as well, and honestly if UConn were to join an ACC that looked like this I would hope and pray they were. Outside of Louisville I'm not sure which of those schools is set up for success in hoops. Memphis would be a nice 3rd team to round out the top of the league. With Cuse, Pitt, NC State etc being a nice second tier I think the league would get 3-5 bids most years.

I think the current Big East is a much better basketball league, though.

(10-01-2025 10:40 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(08-09-2025 03:59 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(08-08-2025 11:06 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(07-31-2025 02:49 PM)kmdhoya Wrote:  Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

I'm terrible at predicting things, Nameless. But I could see the SEC adding UNC, Duke, Clemson and Florida State to get to 20 and the Big Ten adding Miami, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Stanford and Arizona State to go to 24.

Assuming the ACC and Big 12 don't merge at that point, that could open the door for UConn to join either league.

So if UConn heads to the ACC, this could be the lineup:

UConn
Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU

That's 12 members. And I could see the additions of Tulane, USF and Oregon State (maybe even Memphis in this scenario).

That would be a quality all-sports league for UConn.

Of course if the Big 12 loses Kansas, Colorado and Arizona State (in this hypothetical), replacements could be Oregon State, San Diego State and Memphis.

Either way, UConn should land a seat at the "big boy table."

Sorry Bill, guess I never saw this post!

It would indeed be a quality all sports league. I think Memphis would definitely be added to it as well, and honestly if UConn were to join an ACC that looked like this I would hope and pray they were. Outside of Louisville I'm not sure which of those schools is set up for success in hoops. Memphis would be a nice 3rd team to round out the top of the league. With Cuse, Pitt, NC State etc being a nice second tier I think the league would get 3-5 bids most years.

I think the current Big East is a much better basketball league, though.

I respectfully disagree with the bolded part, N-Less.

So here is my hypothetical league (not that I think this will be the composition of any future ACC — but I'm using for the sake of argument):

Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU
Oregon State
Tulane
USF
Memphis

In my opinion (which is worth nothing) that is as good a group of basketball programs as the group in the current Big East. And if not as good, it is only modestly inferior to the BE.

Even if that hypothetical ACC is perceived as notably worse than the BE in hoops, UConn would almost certainly join (assuming the finances crunch), for football and other reasons.

It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out. We all agree that the ACC is going to lose some members. We just don't know how many. Nor do we know if the leftover ACC members will align with the Big 12.

I still feel there is a chance the future ACC (after being raided) could actually add some Big East members (ala a Notre Dame arrangement). Similarly, the Big East could add some leftover ACC members (with their football programs to go indy, ala UConn).

So many uncertainties. Unless a school is a P2 league member, all other schools and their fans (including all the Big East members and their fans) have reason to be a bit apprehensive.

(10-01-2025 03:56 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-01-2025 10:40 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(08-09-2025 03:59 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(08-08-2025 11:06 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(07-31-2025 02:49 PM)kmdhoya Wrote:  Some people seem to think half of the ACC is going to be invited to either the SEC or Big Ten at some point. The only schools I see being as "P2 Worthy" are FSU, UNC and Clemson.
And the ACC just invited Stanford, Cal & SMU this past year, so they have effectively been replaced already.

Who knows what Notre Dame will do.

The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

I'm terrible at predicting things, Nameless. But I could see the SEC adding UNC, Duke, Clemson and Florida State to get to 20 and the Big Ten adding Miami, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Stanford and Arizona State to go to 24.

Assuming the ACC and Big 12 don't merge at that point, that could open the door for UConn to join either league.

So if UConn heads to the ACC, this could be the lineup:

UConn
Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU

That's 12 members. And I could see the additions of Tulane, USF and Oregon State (maybe even Memphis in this scenario).

That would be a quality all-sports league for UConn.

Of course if the Big 12 loses Kansas, Colorado and Arizona State (in this hypothetical), replacements could be Oregon State, San Diego State and Memphis.

Either way, UConn should land a seat at the "big boy table."

Sorry Bill, guess I never saw this post!

It would indeed be a quality all sports league. I think Memphis would definitely be added to it as well, and honestly if UConn were to join an ACC that looked like this I would hope and pray they were. Outside of Louisville I'm not sure which of those schools is set up for success in hoops. Memphis would be a nice 3rd team to round out the top of the league. With Cuse, Pitt, NC State etc being a nice second tier I think the league would get 3-5 bids most years.

I think the current Big East is a much better basketball league, though.

I respectfully disagree with the bolded part, N-Less.

So here is my hypothetical league (not that I think this will be the composition of any future ACC — but I'm using for the sake of argument):

Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU
Oregon State
Tulane
USF
Memphis

In my opinion (which is worth nothing) that is as good a group of basketball programs as the group in the current Big East. And if not as good, it is only modestly inferior to the BE.

Even if that hypothetical ACC is perceived as notably worse than the BE in hoops, UConn would almost certainly join (assuming the finances crunch), for football and other reasons.

It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out. We all agree that the ACC is going to lose some members. We just don't know how many. Nor do we know if the leftover ACC members will align with the Big 12.

I still feel there is a chance the future ACC (after being raided) could actually add some Big East members (ala a Notre Dame arrangement). Similarly, the Big East could add some leftover ACC members (with their football programs to go indy, ala UConn).

So many uncertainties. Unless a school is a P2 league member, all other schools and their fans (including all the Big East members and their fans) have reason to be a bit apprehensive.

In my opinion the most likely scenario in terms of ACC realignment, without naming specific schools is:

-SEC picks off the 4 properties it sees as the most ideal fits.
-B1G grabs 2 more remaining members. Both leagues are now at 20
-The XII, wanting to solidify themselves as the 3rd best conference takes the 4 programs it feels are best fits from the ACC to get to 20 as well.
-The ACC, down to 6 schools, adds UConn, Memphis, Tulane, USF and at least 2 teams from the reformed Pac to get to 12, but possibly as high as 16 teams.

Now, if I were to add teams to that scenario:

-SEC adds UNC, FSU, Duke and Kansas (I think JR is spot on over on the CRA board and the SEC wants to cement itself as the best football and basketball league, hence the Duke and Kansas adds)
-B1G adds Virginia and Miami (you can possibly substitute one for Clemson)
-XII adds Pitt, Cuse, Louisville and Clemson (or whoever didn't join the B1G if you swapped Clemson for Virginia or Miami)

So the 8 leftovers, in my eyes, are likely to be

BC
SMU
Cal
Stanford
Georgia Tech
NC State
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

I'm just not sure any of those programs will see sustained success in a weakened version of the ACC. Some are struggling as is. The Big East has programs completely dedicated to hoops, so even when teams struggle I'm more confident in their ability to regain their footing. I do think the teams you have listed in your scenario is a better cohort, so maybe "much better" was a poor choice of words. But I do think the Big East would be a more formidable basketball league most years

(10-01-2025 06:48 PM)Nameless Wrote:  

(10-01-2025 03:56 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-01-2025 10:40 AM)Nameless Wrote:  

(08-09-2025 03:59 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(08-08-2025 11:06 AM)Nameless Wrote:  The rumor I've heard is Duke will get an invite to the SEC with UNC. It makes sense to me; Duke is elite academically, and the SEC wants UNC. They have already solidified their status as the best football league, and after last year are clearly in the conversation for best basketball league. Grabbing Duke and UNC will help solidify their status as the best league in both of the top revenue sports.

Once this happens I don't think they stay at 18, they go to at least 20. If they nab 2 more teams from the ACC, I think Virginia has to be one of them. UVA will be a really hot commodity if the ACC breaks up, they have it all; market, academics, the ability to compete in revenue sports, etc.

From what I've heard, the SEC doesn't even really want Clemson or FSU. They make take both for rivalry games if the ACC is blowing up, but I think they only do so if there is strong interest from the B1G as a way of blocking them from gaining a foothold in their territory. In this scenario they likely go to 24, and most of the ACC is picked off as the B1G follows suit.

All of the teams listed above are coveted in realignment circles, at least to an extent. So is Miami. Probably Virginia Tech to a lesser extent as well. Even Pitt, Louisville and Syracuse probably have some value to the Big XII. If th league has departures it will likely completely blow up the way th PAC did.

I'm terrible at predicting things, Nameless. But I could see the SEC adding UNC, Duke, Clemson and Florida State to get to 20 and the Big Ten adding Miami, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Stanford and Arizona State to go to 24.

Assuming the ACC and Big 12 don't merge at that point, that could open the door for UConn to join either league.

So if UConn heads to the ACC, this could be the lineup:

UConn
Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU

That's 12 members. And I could see the additions of Tulane, USF and Oregon State (maybe even Memphis in this scenario).

That would be a quality all-sports league for UConn.

Of course if the Big 12 loses Kansas, Colorado and Arizona State (in this hypothetical), replacements could be Oregon State, San Diego State and Memphis.

Either way, UConn should land a seat at the "big boy table."

Sorry Bill, guess I never saw this post!

It would indeed be a quality all sports league. I think Memphis would definitely be added to it as well, and honestly if UConn were to join an ACC that looked like this I would hope and pray they were. Outside of Louisville I'm not sure which of those schools is set up for success in hoops. Memphis would be a nice 3rd team to round out the top of the league. With Cuse, Pitt, NC State etc being a nice second tier I think the league would get 3-5 bids most years.

I think the current Big East is a much better basketball league, though.

I respectfully disagree with the bolded part, N-Less.

So here is my hypothetical league (not that I think this will be the composition of any future ACC — but I'm using for the sake of argument):

Boston College
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
North Carolina State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Notre Dame
California
SMU
Oregon State
Tulane
USF
Memphis

In my opinion (which is worth nothing) that is as good a group of basketball programs as the group in the current Big East. And if not as good, it is only modestly inferior to the BE.

Even if that hypothetical ACC is perceived as notably worse than the BE in hoops, UConn would almost certainly join (assuming the finances crunch), for football and other reasons.

It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out. We all agree that the ACC is going to lose some members. We just don't know how many. Nor do we know if the leftover ACC members will align with the Big 12.

I still feel there is a chance the future ACC (after being raided) could actually add some Big East members (ala a Notre Dame arrangement). Similarly, the Big East could add some leftover ACC members (with their football programs to go indy, ala UConn).

So many uncertainties. Unless a school is a P2 league member, all other schools and their fans (including all the Big East members and their fans) have reason to be a bit apprehensive.

In my opinion the most likely scenario in terms of ACC realignment, without naming specific schools is:

-SEC picks off the 4 properties it sees as the most ideal fits.
-B1G grabs 2 more remaining members. Both leagues are now at 20
-The XII, wanting to solidify themselves as the 3rd best conference takes the 4 programs it feels are best fits from the ACC to get to 20 as well.
-The ACC, down to 6 schools, adds UConn, Memphis, Tulane, USF and at least 2 teams from the reformed Pac to get to 12, but possibly as high as 16 teams.

Now, if I were to add teams to that scenario:

-SEC adds UNC, FSU, Duke and Kansas (I think JR is spot on over on the CRA board and the SEC wants to cement itself as the best football and basketball league, hence the Duke and Kansas adds)
-B1G adds Virginia and Miami (you can possibly substitute one for Clemson)
-XII adds Pitt, Cuse, Louisville and Clemson (or whoever didn't join the B1G if you swapped Clemson for Virginia or Miami)

So the 8 leftovers, in my eyes, are likely to be

BC
SMU
Cal
Stanford
Georgia Tech
NC State
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

I'm just not sure any of those programs will see sustained success in a weakened version of the ACC. Some are struggling as is. The Big East has programs completely dedicated to hoops, so even when teams struggle I'm more confident in their ability to regain their footing. I do think the teams you have listed in your scenario is a better cohort, so maybe "much better" was a poor choice of words. But I do think the Big East would be a more formidable basketball league most years

Let's say (and using your hypothetical), the ACC is left with these eight after being raided:

BC
SMU
Cal
Stanford
Georgia Tech
NC State
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

And let's suppose the league, wanting to go to 14 (and seeking to create a "Western wing" for travel purposes), invites these six:

Oregon State
Washington State
San Diego State
Tulane
Memphis
USF


That 14-member league would not be as good as the Big East in men's hoops. I'm with you. Of course, my hypothetical ACC (and that I previously posted) included Syracuse, Louisville, Pitt and Notre Dame (which obviously changes the dynamic for basketball).

Regardless, UConn is likely going to have an opportunity to improve its football situation at some point.

I think UConn has a decent chance of becoming part of the next iteration of the ACC—the question remains who will still be around.

I’m not sold on the idea that the Big 12 has the allure to steal ACC teams, unless the Big 10 and SEC take more than 6 schools.

Everything is all about timing. Five years ago, no one believed that the Big 12 would be able to raid the PAC. It depends who and when someone leaves, and then everyone is off to the races once rumors and fact sheets are provided regarding a conference's valuation.

The ACC would be worth significantly less without the likes of Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina (and even Duke or Miami). There is not a single available brand from the Big 12, Big East, American, etc., that can recoup that lost value. None. The only advantage with having the longest current TV deal (until 3037) is that any exit fees can be be paid out to the left-behind members (but very unlikely to any new members); thus, just like Big East Football (American) and the PAC, there is financial incentive to keeping the league around, despite it losing a majority of its value.

I visit this board from time-to-time and came across this thread. I'll share my thoughts, as I think the following possibilities exist:

(1) The ACC implodes and the it's remaining most valuable assets join the B12. Notre Dame follows them, the Big East is left unscathed and things continue on.

(2) See above, but Notre Dame joins the Big East. The Big East is stronger as a result.

(3) The ACC loses membership and then merges with the Big East. Again, the Big East's member schools are stronger as a result.

(4) Both the ACC and the B12 expand with Olympic-only additions... from the Big East. The Big East folds as a result, with some members finding refuge in the A10, American or Patriot League. This is the least likely option.

(5) The Big East expands by targeting several A10 programs and possibly even Gonzaga. I think that this is the most likely option.

(6) The Big East is raided for some (1-6) of it's most valuable programs but then backfills with some A10 members. This option is more likely than some want to believe.

(7) The P2 conferences raid the M2 and the trickle-down results in a new Big East football conference, with members from the American, Sunbelt and ACC.

I expect the Big East to be surprisingly proactive in the coming years.

(10-09-2025 11:28 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  I visit this board from time-to-time and came across this thread. I'll share my thoughts, as I think the following possibilities exist:

(1) The ACC implodes and the it's remaining most valuable assets join the B12. Notre Dame follows them, the Big East is left unscathed and things continue on.

(2) See above, but Notre Dame joins the Big East. The Big East is stronger as a result.

(3) The ACC loses membership and then merges with the Big East. Again, the Big East's member schools are stronger as a result.

(4) Both the ACC and the B12 expand with Olympic-only additions... from the Big East. The Big East folds as a result, with some members finding refuge in the A10, American or Patriot League. This is the least likely option.

(5) The Big East expands by targeting several A10 programs and possibly even Gonzaga. I think that this is the most likely option.

(6) The Big East is raided for some (1-6) of it's most valuable programs but then backfills with some A10 members. This option is more likely than some want to believe.

(7) The P2 conferences raid the M2 and the trickle-down results in a new Big East football conference, with members from the American, Sunbelt and ACC.

I expect the Big East to be surprisingly proactive in the coming years.

Always happy to have your insights over here, you're a good poster over on the AAC board.

I agree that almost all of these are all possible scenarios. However, I do find it interesting you think there is an option where the Big East loses so many members it folds, but you don't see a scenario where only UConn leaves, since this is probably the scenario most discussed in general. Do you not think there is a scenario where only UConn leaves as a backfill for the ACC or expansion member of the XII?

The only option I don't see happening is the league folding. Even if it loses a ton of members, there is value in the brand the way there is in the Pac. 1 or 2 teams could easily rebuild with expansion candidates from the A-10 I think.

(10-09-2025 06:35 PM)Nameless Wrote:  

(10-09-2025 11:28 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  I visit this board from time-to-time and came across this thread. I'll share my thoughts, as I think the following possibilities exist:

(1) The ACC implodes and the it's remaining most valuable assets join the B12. Notre Dame follows them, the Big East is left unscathed and things continue on.

(2) See above, but Notre Dame joins the Big East. The Big East is stronger as a result.

(3) The ACC loses membership and then merges with the Big East. Again, the Big East's member schools are stronger as a result.

(4) Both the ACC and the B12 expand with Olympic-only additions... from the Big East. The Big East folds as a result, with some members finding refuge in the A10, American or Patriot League. This is the least likely option.

(5) The Big East expands by targeting several A10 programs and possibly even Gonzaga. I think that this is the most likely option.

(6) The Big East is raided for some (1-6) of it's most valuable programs but then backfills with some A10 members. This option is more likely than some want to believe.

(7) The P2 conferences raid the M2 and the trickle-down results in a new Big East football conference, with members from the American, Sunbelt and ACC.

I expect the Big East to be surprisingly proactive in the coming years.

Always happy to have your insights over here, you're a good poster over on the AAC board.

I agree that almost all of these are all possible scenarios. However, I do find it interesting you think there is an option where the Big East loses so many members it folds, but you don't see a scenario where only UConn leaves, since this is probably the scenario most discussed in general. Do you not think there is a scenario where only UConn leaves as a backfill for the ACC or expansion member of the XII?

The only option I don't see happening is the league folding. Even if it loses a ton of members, there is value in the brand the way there is in the Pac. 1 or 2 teams could easily rebuild with expansion candidates from the A-10 I think.

I literally forgot to add that option specifically; I have the attention span of a three-year old at times LOL.

Yes, UConn could leave… most likely for the ACC and be the only team added from the Big East.

(10-10-2025 09:44 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  

(10-09-2025 06:35 PM)Nameless Wrote:  

(10-09-2025 11:28 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  I visit this board from time-to-time and came across this thread. I'll share my thoughts, as I think the following possibilities exist:

(1) The ACC implodes and the it's remaining most valuable assets join the B12. Notre Dame follows them, the Big East is left unscathed and things continue on.

(2) See above, but Notre Dame joins the Big East. The Big East is stronger as a result.

(3) The ACC loses membership and then merges with the Big East. Again, the Big East's member schools are stronger as a result.

(4) Both the ACC and the B12 expand with Olympic-only additions... from the Big East. The Big East folds as a result, with some members finding refuge in the A10, American or Patriot League. This is the least likely option.

(5) The Big East expands by targeting several A10 programs and possibly even Gonzaga. I think that this is the most likely option.

(6) The Big East is raided for some (1-6) of it's most valuable programs but then backfills with some A10 members. This option is more likely than some want to believe.

(7) The P2 conferences raid the M2 and the trickle-down results in a new Big East football conference, with members from the American, Sunbelt and ACC.

I expect the Big East to be surprisingly proactive in the coming years.

Always happy to have your insights over here, you're a good poster over on the AAC board.

I agree that almost all of these are all possible scenarios. However, I do find it interesting you think there is an option where the Big East loses so many members it folds, but you don't see a scenario where only UConn leaves, since this is probably the scenario most discussed in general. Do you not think there is a scenario where only UConn leaves as a backfill for the ACC or expansion member of the XII?

The only option I don't see happening is the league folding. Even if it loses a ton of members, there is value in the brand the way there is in the Pac. 1 or 2 teams could easily rebuild with expansion candidates from the A-10 I think.

I literally forgot to add that option specifically; I have the attention span of a three-year old at times LOL.

Yes, UConn could leave… most likely for the ACC and be the only team added from the Big East.

Lol I figured that was an accidental ommission. Sometimes it's easy to forget about and omit the obvious choice

(10-09-2025 11:28 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  I visit this board from time-to-time and came across this thread. I'll share my thoughts, as I think the following possibilities exist:

(1) The ACC implodes and the it's remaining most valuable assets join the B12. Notre Dame follows them, the Big East is left unscathed and things continue on.

(2) See above, but Notre Dame joins the Big East. The Big East is stronger as a result.

(3) The ACC loses membership and then merges with the Big East. Again, the Big East's member schools are stronger as a result.

(4) Both the ACC and the B12 expand with Olympic-only additions... from the Big East. The Big East folds as a result, with some members finding refuge in the A10, American or Patriot League. This is the least likely option.

(5) The Big East expands by targeting several A10 programs and possibly even Gonzaga. I think that this is the most likely option.

(6) The Big East is raided for some (1-6) of it's most valuable programs but then backfills with some A10 members. This option is more likely than some want to believe.

(7) The P2 conferences raid the M2 and the trickle-down results in a new Big East football conference, with members from the American, Sunbelt and ACC.

I expect the Big East to be surprisingly proactive in the coming years.

Quality work, NLow. And I see you've updated with the scenario that only UConn could depart the Big East.

Lots of possible moves. Will be interesting to see which one materializes.