The ACC likely will add one of its two new members next July after the Big East and Syracuse came to an agreement on a $7.5 million buyout. But will fellow league member Pittsburgh join it? Or will the Panthers have to wait until July 1, 2014, as they agreed to?
Of course, that was before West Virginia and TCU — which never actually played in the Big East — left the conference for the Big 12. Pitt is now arguing in court that the Big East can’t hold it to a 27-month waiting period if it is allowing other schools to depart on different terms.
Whatever happens, the Orange at least will be in the mix for 2013-14. That should make for an intriguing basketball season as they prepare for new rivalries with Duke and North Carolina and programs at N.C. State, Maryland and Virginia all recruiting better than they have in years. Add in a consistent Florida State and — eventually — Pitt, which has 15 NCAA tournament wins since 2001, and the ACC soon should resume its spot as the top college hoops conference.
– Brian McNally
