The biggest mistake was not expanding with Miami, VT, Pitt, Rutgers and Cuse in 2003. With those schools in the conference, Maryland would not have bolted for the Big Ten, because when PSU was on the outs with the Big Ten over Paternogate, a nice comfy slot in the heart of the ACC would have given them exactly what they wanted - easy travel to conference games, and a slate of big time research U's in conference.

I think the true irony is that the small private schools that argued for Cuse and BC due to issues of academic prestige were later forced to add Louisville just to stay relevant. Bunch of rubes.

I recall arguing vehemently that the ACC should expand to 14 immediately in 2004 and being shouted down by folks saying that that would 'split the ACCCG revenue 14 ways instead of 12'. Ridiculous. That kind of shortsighted thinking by Swofford et al. is what makes me wonder why nobody has been fired.