I. Pitt and Cuse were not incredibly valuable additions. However, the ACC needed to do "something" in order to force ESPN back to the negotiating table. So I can see why additions were made.

I feel WVU or Louisville were much better potential additions. Swofford indicated that football was the driver, so they decided to add Pitt and Syracuse? OK? WVU has a much stronger football program and fanbase than either. WVU also had rivalries with Maryland and VT. Those games would have put butts in seats, both stadium seats and in front of TVs. It also MAY have made a difference in Maryland's decision to move and WVU does have a presence in DC. People forget that.

Additions of Pitt and Cuse Grade: C- (would have been a C+ if WVU was added instead).

II. They were blindsided by Maryland and the B1G. Anyone with internet access knew that the B1G was wanting into the South and that the ACC was not provided Maryland enough money to support a major program in an expensive/high cost of living area. Anyone with internet access would also have realized that the B1G would be able to make any ACC team a strong enough offer that would make the $50 million buy out manageable. Anyhow, Greensboro shouldn't have been blindsided by this. Maryland shouldn't have been forced to publicly express frustrations in order to get positive movement as FSU and Clemson were later forced to do.

Maryland loss Grade: D- (wasn't a ton the ACC could have done, but doing things like adding Maryland a nearby rival might have helped. Assurances of an upcoming network might have helped here too, as it later did for FSU and others).

III. Louisville addition. The ACC got VERY VERY lucky here. They were planning on UCONN and were strong armed by FSU into making a better decision.
Loisville grad: C+ (Would have been a D with UCONN. Even considering their decent fball and good bball, a city based commuter school does not make up for the loss of a flagship U.)

IV. ND addition. This is good stuff. It is obviously not a great addition because of ND's refusal to fully join. But it's a start. I don't think ND ever entertained offers from others due to geography and bitter histories, but the ACC did what it needed to bring them in. The 5 games are worthwhile. ND adds value in other sports too.
ND addition: B (would obviously be an A+ if they ever fully join. Not sure when that will happen).

V. UNC fiasco. There's a precedent of conferences monitoring and penalizing members themselves. The B1G was all over PSU. The Big12 is currently all over Baylor. The ACC has gladly stuck it to Clemson and others in the past. VT would have been kicked out of the league for half the stuff UNC was doing. But with this current leadership, there was never any serious consideration that the ACC would penalize them. Swofford was actually the AD when this stuff began down there too. UNC's relative cakewalk through this ordeal has allowed them to still recruit players away from other ACC schools as it's unfolding. That's particularly true of Virginia Tech. UNC has really been a thorn in our sides these last 5 years or so on the recruiting trail. They've gotten guys who would have helped VT to additional conference titles.
UNC fiasco: F-



[Post edited by chuckd4vt at 07/29/2016 3:23PM]