Thu Jan 15 02:00:00 UTC 2026: # UNC and Duke Embrace Pac-8 Scheduling Nostalgia in ACC/Big Ten Crossover

The Story

In a nod to college basketball’s past, UNC and Duke are embarking on a scheduling quirk reminiscent of the old Pac-8 conference. The article highlights how the pre-expansion Pac-8 operated with regional, home-and-home weekend series, a far cry from today’s landscape dominated by national TV contracts and conference realignment. This week, the Blue Devils and Tar Heels are playing games on the West Coast against Stanford and Cal, echoing the travel patterns of the former Pac-8 teams. The article compares the current situation to the old days of UCLA’s dominance under John Wooden, when the Bruins routinely navigated the regional Pac-8 schedule en route to multiple national championships.

Key Points

  • UNC and Duke are playing games at Stanford and Cal, respectively, in a scheduling format reminiscent of the old Pac-8.
  • Duke plays at Cal on Wednesday night and at Stanford on Saturday night.
  • UNC plays at Stanford on Wednesday night and at Cal on Saturday afternoon.
  • The author notes the significant changes in college athletics since the Pac-8 era, including conference expansion and the influence of TV rights fees.
  • Cal and Stanford are both having decent seasons at 13-4 overall.
  • Kyle Smith, formerly of Washington State, is the head coach at Stanford.
  • Mark Madsen, a former Stanford player and assistant, is the head coach at Cal.
  • Top-ranked Duke (4-0) and No. 14 Carolina (2-1) are favored in their respective games.

Key Takeaways

  • College basketball scheduling is dramatically different than it was during the era of Pac-8 dominance, largely due to TV contracts and conference expansion.
  • While the format evokes nostalgia, the financial resources of programs like UNC and Duke make coast-to-coast travel a routine occurrence.
  • The article highlights the contrast between the academic focus of institutions like Stanford and Cal and the basketball obsession often associated with UNC and Duke.
  • The current coaches at Stanford and Cal have interesting backgrounds, highlighting the coaching carousel in college basketball.
  • The games provide a cross-conference test for Duke and UNC early in the season.

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