Sat Mar 22 21:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Big East, ACC Could Merge to Boost Struggling Conference

**GREENSBORO, NC** – The ACC’s dismal performance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, marked by a disappointing 1-2 start, has prompted calls for a major shakeup. UConn coach Dan Hurley has proposed an alliance between the ACC and the Big East, echoing earlier suggestions by Rick Pitino for a full merger.

Hurley’s proposal, which he’s discussed with prominent figures including Coach K, envisions a collaborative scheduling arrangement or a joint in-season tournament. This follows the ACC’s embarrassing 2-14 loss to the SEC in their annual challenge. The coach highlighted the potential benefits for struggling ACC programs like Syracuse and Pittsburgh, who lost access to Madison Square Garden after conference realignment.

The ACC’s struggles are undeniable. The conference only sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament, with many questioning North Carolina’s inclusion as a No. 11 seed. Two of those teams, Clemson and Louisville, suffered early exits. Power rankings place the ACC as the weakest high-major conference this season, significantly trailing the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, and even the Big East. The recent addition of Stanford and California to the ACC has done little to improve its competitive standing. The Big East, by contrast, remains strong despite not adding any new programs.

Hurley’s suggestion reflects a growing concern about the ACC’s future competitiveness and the need for strategic partnerships to regain its prestige. The potential benefits of an ACC-Big East alliance are significant, but its feasibility remains to be seen.

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