The ACC is facing a make-or-break moment in its quest to reclaim its throne as the nation's top basketball conference. Once a powerhouse, the league has seen a troubling decline in recent years, with fewer teams making it to the NCAA Tournament than ever before. But here's where it gets controversial: is the ACC doing enough to turn things around? ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips thinks so, pointing to bold moves like reducing the conference schedule from 20 to 18 games. This change, implemented last summer, aims to give coaches more freedom to schedule tougher non-conference opponents, a strategy Phillips hopes will boost the league's national profile and secure more NCAA bids. And this is the part most people miss: while this shift means some beloved rivalry games will only happen once a season, it's a calculated risk. The ACC believes the potential payoff—more teams in the Big Dance—is worth it. But will it work? The 2025-26 season will be the ultimate test. As Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer bluntly puts it, the ACC has “done just about everything within its power” to address the issue, from branding overhauls to bringing in NCAA selection experts like Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm. Yet, DeCock argues, “There’s only one answer... Win more games.” The ACC’s relevance is on the line, and spreadsheets won’t save it—only victories on the court will. Is the ACC’s strategy enough, or does the league need a more radical approach? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—do you think reducing conference games will pay off, or is the ACC missing the mark? Sponsored content.
