Wolverine247 Board

Count me among those that think the Duke/UNC rivalry is maintained easily enough in the non conference schedule.

What I continue to believe is that the B1G raiding the ACC again has got to make ND stop and think. If the B1G adds UNC, it becomes a much more national conference (albeit mainly for bball, but still), which directly addresses one of ND's biggest complaints about joining a conference.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think Delany is actively pursuing ND anymore, but I do think there is going to be a point where ND has to be a full member of a conference. If the ACC is no longer a viable football conference, then where does ND go? In my mind, adding UNC and UVA moves the situation one step closer to the ND tipping point. I almost have to wonder if GT and ND become teams 17 and 18? From there, the rest of the ACC would be taken by the SEC and B12, with Duke and BC potentially joining the Catholic7.

But that's just a lot of speculation.

Because those aren't basketball rivalries, for the most part...they are football rivalries. In reality, the ONLY basketball rivalry in the country where I think this is even an issue is UNC-Duke. Can't really name another one.

There have been a few cases where state legislatures have influenced conference alignments. A perfect example was the pressure the state of Michigan put on UM to add MSU to the Big Ten originally. Obviously, a long time ago, but that probably resinates here a bit more. There has been talk of the legislature stepping in if Oklahoma tried to jump without Ok St. It's not something that happens everyday, but I wouldn't be amazed if we at least saw some threats if these schools went alone. My main point was just that if UNC and UVA were added, there would probably be others coming with them.

I will say it's easier to maintain in non-conference basketball. Kentucky and Indiana played for years without being the same conference. Also, an example of one continuing even after splitting is Nebraska and Oklahoma, who have recently schedule a football game for down the road. Obviously, football scheduling is a little different.

UK and Louisville play each other every year

Good point.

Maybe they won't...but then how valuable was the rivalry? Things that increase hate in a rivalry usually help the rivalry.

And if UM and OSU split into different conferences, and only played football...95% would be content. That is reality.

This is why I don't want them in the BIG. Just my honest,humble & selfish opinion.

I don't like this idea at all, was not very happy about rutgers and downright pissed about maryland joining the conference. Now unc and uva, I don't wana see more crappy football programs join the conference. Yea the strengthen the basketball side but so what, were already acknowledged as the best conference in basketball, as a football conference on the other hand were a laughing stock. Last year our team was far from as talented as it will be in a couple more and yet we won half our conference games in routs, we don't need any more punching bags in the conference to beat on.

I would like some ACC flair....FSU, Clemson, Vtech and throw in some other team like G tech...Boom!!

The reality is that there are no big schools that are realistically out there.

We have made bids to Texas and (yes) ND...and no go.

So who is left? FSU, but not sure they want to be in the Big 10. I don't see Clemson as better than UNC...they have had a decent run of late, but remember how bad they were for 20 years. Va Tech may come, but I think the Big 10 feels more a natural affiliation to Virginia, the 'state' school.

The only realistic one in my mind is FSU...and even that is a stretch.

People constantly overlook Miami. It's not an AAU member, but then again neither is FSU. Miami is a much better school than FSU academically and IMO has more national appeal. It's also more of a northern school culturally than FSU. Many students fron the NE go to school at Miami and Miami used to be a member of the Big East. Compare that to FSU, which is located in the panhandle and which is culturally closer to the SEC gulf coast schools than Miami. Miami has a much more cosmopolitan culture and is a coveted travel destination for players, media and fans (unlike Tallahassee). IMO Miami would be a much better add to the B10 than FSU.