Big Ten named a fit for UNC, Duke in terms of realignment
The college football world was shaken up a bit on Thursday when it was reported that USC and UCLA are planning on leaving the Pac-12 and heading to the Big Ten as early as 2024. With that, the future of the Pac-12 conference and others are in question as we are destined for a total shift in conferences in the near future.
Right now, the Atlantic Coast Conference is staying put with what they have but could that eventually be broken up? Teams like Clemson and Florida State make sense football-wise to jump ship and with basketball, it could be UNC and Duke having a big impact.
Chris Hummer of 247Sports wrote on the powerhouse programs that could change realignment, focusing on football. But in his piece, he mentioned both UNC and Duke as basketball programs that could shift the momentum and which conference they’d fit in best with:
Speaking of basketball powerhouses, Duke and North Carolina could also have a decision to make that will shape the ACC. Both are attractive name brands and losing either — and it’s hard to imagine them not operating together — would simply cripple the ACC. Just like with FSU and Clemson, the ACC can’t afford to lose its basketball pillars. As for who would want to add them, the Big Ten seems like the most natural fit given its rigid academic standards.
Right now, there’s no news of more realignment from the conference but USC and UCLA leaving the Pac-12 does impact the alliance the ACC, Pac-12, and Big Ten made.
And the way things are trending, college basketball and football will look a whole lot different in a few years.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
