This is old but, in what is becoming a yearly ritual, ACC athletic directors discussed increasing the conference basketball schedule from 16 games to 18 games in their meetings last month in Florida. No decisions were made, but it appears likely that the ADs will s
eriously consider such a move when negotiating their next television contract (the current one ends after the 2010-2011 seasons).
What do I think about this proposed move? To be honest, I'm not sure. If there were ten teams in the league, the jump to 18 conference games (which would allow each school to play each other in a home/home) would be a no-brainer. I'm not sure it matters too much with 12 teams. If they increase the conference slate, the schedule is still going to be unbalanced, Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College still won't belong, the ACC Football Championship still will be an uninteresting bore and John Swofford still will be a money-grubbing fool. Expanding the schedule doesn't change any of that.
If I had to choose, I'd probably agree with the coaches and say that keeping the 16-game schedule is better for the schools in the conference. That the wishes of coaches are even being considered in regards to this move is slightly amusing to me. From the News Observer story:
ACC athletic directors are expected to discuss the issue at the conference's spring meetings, May 11-14 at Amelia Island, Fla. A year ago, they considered expanding to 18 conference games but shelved the idea because of strong opposition from ACC coaches.In other news, dog bites man.
The coaches have been wary that 18 conference games would make their schedule too challenging and cause them to be reluctant to schedule attractive non-conference games.
Of COURSE coaches don't like the move; it takes away two guaranteed wins from their record every year. Instead of playing South Carolina St. and Longwood, ACC teams would have to play another game against Duke and Virginia. Coaches are only interested in self-preservation. This is why Jim Boeheim wants to expand the NCAA Tournament to 128 teams.
In the end, it doesn't really matter what's best for the conference. If Raycom and ESPN will pay more money for two more conference games, there's no doubt that John Swofford will take the bait.
3 comments:
Would you please stop throwing in cheap shots at Boeheim every chance you get? They got totally screwed by the selection committee in 2007. I understand that he has been a bit overbearing in his complaining after that fact, but would the committee would have left out a Duke team with that profile? No freaking way. And yes, of course I am a homer. The man is a demi-god to me and a large portion of New York State.
P.S. - I agree on the ACC expanded schedule....vote NO.
I vote yes, with the provision that all the Big Four teams play each other home and home every year. It's ridiculous that Duke and N.C. State, or UNC and Wake, can go two or three years without playing each other twice during the regular season. Last year, Duke and Wake didn't play until Presidents' Day Weekend. That's a joke.
I don't think that was as big a knock at Boeheim as you think it was. I like Boeheim, I just think his suggestion to expand the Tournament is based entirely on self-interest (and the interests of his coaching brethren). It's a terrible suggestion and would ruin the NCAA Tournament. You have to agree with that.
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