For a proper analogy of what the ACC is doing to the Big East, let's go back to the 2011 NCAA Tournament. In the second round, No. 10 seed Florida State faced off with No. 2 seed Notre Dame. Notre Dame was confident, but not cocky. Which was understandable – they were considerable favorites, but FSU was a dangerous team. The game took a while to get flowing, and the Irish took a 9-7 lead with 15:19 to go in the first half.
And then they made one bucket in the next seven minutes.
FSU had turned up the defense, and Notre Dame didn't know what to do. It was a clinic. Four blocked shots. Two Notre Dame turnovers. And the shots they did get off were in desperation. Whenever someone got enough room to put something toward the rim, that's what they did. FSU took an 11-point lead into halftime, and immediately continued the assault in the 2nd half, pushing the lead to 23.
What's memorable about that game is how FSU punched Notre Dame in the mouth – they were physical, they were quick, they were prepared. It looked as if they were in the Irish huddle. And Notre Dame responded not by stepping up and going after FSU, but by fighting among themselves. Players yelled at each other. Coaches intervened during time-outs. It was a meltdown.
Welcome to 2012.
The ACC took Syracuse. The ACC took Pitt. And now the ACC just took Notre Dame.
Doing the math this now means that the ACC has 15 basketball members (and 14 football members, as Notre Dame has some half-in/half-out just-the-tip agreement with the conference). And this opens the door for another basketball school – preferably one without football.
Hello, Georgetown.
The ACC is pounding the Big East. How are they going to respond? And at this point, does it really matter? The ACC has positioned itself to be the dominant basketball conference, and has done it completely at the expense of the Big East.
And right now, it's only halftime.
