Pitt & Syracuse to join ACC on Sunday? Texas next? [Updated 3:35pm]

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It appears that the ACC is being proactive and will be one of the superconferences. Pittsburgh and Syracuse have submitted applications to join the ACC.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has been approached by at least 10 schools about possible membership, a group that includes the Big East’s Pitt and Syracuse, both of which have tendered letters of application, a high-ranking ACC official said Saturday morning.

In addition, amid a “fluid landscape” in conference alignment, the ACC presidents have unanimously approved to increase the buyout for schools to leave the conference from $12 million-$14 million to $20 million, the source said, making it a highly unlikely scenario that any ACC teams defect from the conference.

Obviously, this is a very fluid situation. Our message board community has been discussing this all morning in this multi-page thread.

3:20pm Update
CBS has reported that a source has stated that Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC could be officially announced as early as Sunday. Another source from the Big 12 has also shared the same insight with a University of Texas blog.

Something to keep in mind — both Texas and Oklahoma’s boards/regents are meeting Monday to discuss the future of the Big 12. (Link to analysis) Is all of this just ‘coincidence’ right before Texas’ meetings?

3:35pm Update
@ClayTravisBGID just tweeted something about our last update that makes a lot of sense.

If Big 12 “admins” know ACC plans, Texas and Texas Tech to the ACC has to be pretty far along.

That is interesting insight that dovetails on our thought about the timing of the Pitt and Syracuse news happening BEFORE Texas’ Board of Regents meeting on Monday. Already having Pitt and Syracuse in the fold would serve to show significant stability. At that point, a school like Texas wouldn’t have many variables to consider — the composition of what they would be joining would be almost 100% secure.

About ruffles31

1996 NC State graduate who is still waiting on his first ACC conference championship in any of the four main revenue sports (football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and baseball) since enrolling. All I want is a ACC Champions t-shirt.

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24 Responses to Pitt & Syracuse to join ACC on Sunday? Texas next? [Updated 3:35pm]

  1. JSRy2k 09/17/2011 at 2:08 PM #

    Part of me feels sick over the delocalization (if that’s a word) of collegiate conferences. However, I would much rather east coast schools such as Pitt & Syr join us than a Texas or Oklahoma. A good friend and ECU alum has horror stories of how traveling across time zones can mess up teams’ performances.

  2. swfncsu 09/17/2011 at 2:08 PM #

    Woop! ACC stays relevant until next superconference expansion!

  3. WolfpackBrian 09/17/2011 at 2:17 PM #

    Fine with me. Syracuse would provide good competition in the ACC along with Pittsburgh.

  4. pack76 09/17/2011 at 2:48 PM #

    I’m happy with Pitt and ‘Cuse!!! Accept them gladly and don’t worry about the Big 12 schools.

  5. BJD95 09/17/2011 at 2:51 PM #

    I don’t think this is enough to retain a place at the “superconference” post-season table unless ND or Texas joins too.

    Wow, do I ever wish we had the cajones to push for SEC membership. Oh well, tis apparently not to be.

  6. Wulfpack 09/17/2011 at 3:06 PM #

    I’m very happy with adding these two schools. They are, IMHO, the Big East’s best on several levels. Basketball is going to be fun!

    The ACC should by no means sit still. I’d like to see two more added. If Texas wants to come, you have to accept them.

  7. StateFans 09/17/2011 at 3:23 PM #

    Texas and Notre Dame would basically stick it to everyone who talked junk about us.

  8. jpack 09/17/2011 at 3:37 PM #

    So the exCuse backs out of a return BB game that they owe us only to be forced to play us by joining the conference. Karma’s a bi*ch isn’t it Boeheim?

  9. StateFans 09/17/2011 at 3:56 PM #

    I’m surprised Syracuse would take the ACC after the way we screwed them last time.

  10. Lunatic Fringe 09/17/2011 at 3:57 PM #

    It seems like a pretty good move by ACC and agree that it makes Texas talk seem less of a smokescreen.

    Syracuse gives us a major broadcasting school linked heavily to ESPN plus a foot in NY market. ESPN is HYPE, but it also helps lure the kids and pay the bills.

  11. Asclepios 09/17/2011 at 4:17 PM #

    To hell with G-boro, move the ACC tourney to MSG. Before or after the Big LEast tourney.

  12. Wolfy__79 09/17/2011 at 4:27 PM #

    this is unsettling and exciting all at once for me. is this really happening?? these are two good teams to add to the conference..especially for basketball if nothing else.

  13. JSRy2k 09/17/2011 at 4:46 PM #

    If we add TX, it should become the AGCC (Atlantic Gulf Coast Conference).

  14. ClassOf95 09/17/2011 at 4:48 PM #

    I don’t have the time to research those who will now congratulate the ACC on this post and see what you all had to say when almost everyone on this site predicted doom and gloom for State if we didn’t beg the SEC for membership. Remember when the ACC was going to collapse due to the awful non-leadership of Swofford? Shouldn’t be hard to remember. It was yesterday. If expansion has to happen, I am glad to add great academic schools like these. Not athletic dept. academic reputations but as institutes of higher learning. We are the ACC and that matters.

  15. StateFans 09/17/2011 at 4:54 PM #

    I don’t think ANYONE predicted ‘doom and gloom for State’ if we left the ACC.

    I think a real case could be made that it could potentially be a better thing for State to move to the SEC.

    But, those two things are very different.

  16. wolfie91 09/17/2011 at 4:55 PM #

    Jpack, what return game do you mean? they are on the schedule this year.

  17. StateFans 09/17/2011 at 4:56 PM #

    I posted Asclepios’ feelings on SFN’s Twitter account earlier in the afternoon — couldn’t be more excited about the potential to have an ACC Tournament in Madison Square Garden.

  18. Wulfpack 09/17/2011 at 5:12 PM #

    The Big East has reached out to all the remaining Big 12s. That includes Texas.

    Who will be the SEC’s 14th?

  19. cWOhLFrPAiCKs 09/17/2011 at 11:19 PM #

    Looks like the ACC might be taking JP Giglio’s advice and creating the ONE and ONLY Basketball Superconference. While Football may be the money maker, the rest of the BCS would be hard pressed to keep the ACC out if we offer 16 teams and can field at least a couple decent ones (FSU, VT). We (the ACC) needed to do something to determine where we would end up. Looks like now we have a good shot at sitting at the grown ups table.

  20. Ashman87 09/18/2011 at 12:12 AM #

    Syracuse is a pretty good grab. Pitt is okay from a football perspective, but from a basketball perspective, A+. If this works itself out, then ACC basketball will definitely increase in luster and value.

  21. Plz2BStateFan 09/18/2011 at 12:13 AM #

    Here is to swofford if this works out with Texas in the ACC

  22. Astral Rain 09/18/2011 at 1:53 AM #

    I don’t think we need to add Texas now. Definitely not without some concessions on their part.

    There won’t be just 3 superconferences. ACC is now the clear #4 in football, and is pretty close to being #3.

    Outside of Oregon, the rest of the ACC looks better then the Pac-12 top to bottom.

  23. UT4ACC 09/18/2011 at 9:18 AM #

    Feeling in this part of the country (Central Time Zone) is that the ACC is moving on without Texas when they accepted Syracuse and Pitt. The ACC will now continue to be thought of as a basketball conference and not as a football/basketball conference.

    Texas fans feel that the ACC has shut the door to a possible Texas membership and Texas is now talking (in the media) about looking at other options. Board of Regents meet on Monday to decide where Texas will be going. By the way, for the ACC, adding Pitt and Syracuse does not necessarily guarantee that Florida State and Virginia Tech will not leave to go to the SEC. TCU may now have to think about whether or not it still wants to join the Big East with the departures of Pitt and Syracuse. The irony!

  24. cWOhLFrPAiCKs 09/18/2011 at 10:03 AM #

    “By the way, for the ACC, adding Pitt and Syracuse does not necessarily guarantee that Florida State and Virginia Tech will not leave to go to the SEC.”

    If each of the twelve existing member schools voted to approve upping the buyout to $20 million, why would they leave now?

    Good grabs by the ACC.

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