How does acc basketball schedule work

ACC Realignment: Creating a Basketball Schedule for 14 Teams | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Syracuse and Pittsburgh, the newest members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The additions of Pittsburgh and Syracuse to the Atlantic Coast Conference has raised the number of conference teams to 14.  If the ACC decides not to expand further, or if expansion to 16 teams is postponed until later, they will need to figure out how to make a basketball schedule for 14 teams.

Currently, the ACC does not use divisional play in its schedule, but instead has "partners" and "groups" that exist for each team.  As described in Wikipedia: 

"Each team is assigned two permanent partners and nine rotating partners over a three-year period. Teams play their permanent partners in a home-and-away series each year. The rotating partners are split into three groups: three teams who are played in a home-and-away series, three teams who are played at home, and three teams who are played on the road. "

This plan creates a schedule each year with each team playing two games each against five teams (home and away) and one game against each of the other six teams (either home or away).  It is a 16-game conference schedule.  It also means that over time, each team plays its partners twice a year and plays all other teams four times in three years.

A 14-team ACC (or any other conference) has at least a few options to create a basketball schedule:

Plan A: Expand the Partner & Group Method, Round-Robin, 18 Conference Games

This is simply adapting the existing plan so that it works for 14 teams.

Presumed setup: Each team has three permanent partners and the remaining 10 schools are divided into five two-team groups.  Within a year, a team plays its partners twice (home & away), one of the two-team groups twice (home & away), four of the remaining teams at home, and the other four remaining teams away.

Maryland battles Duke in the 2001 Final Four. In 2001 and 2002, the ACC had back-to-back National Champions with Duke and Maryland each winning one title.Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Over time, a team would play its three partners twice every year, and every other team six times over five years.

This would have the advantage of allowing each team to have several partners (chosen specifically for that team) so it can maintain those strong rivalries, and still keep round-robin play (games against all conference teams) each year.

The number of conference games would increase from 16 to 18.  In a 14-team ACC tournament, the two teams with the best records would presumably get a first-round bye.

Plan B: Two Divisions, Round-Robin, 19 or 20 Conference Games

The conference could decide that a two-division setup is preferred, but the round-robin play must stay.

Presumed setup: Each team plays two games against all division opponents and one game against all non-division opponents.   If desired, a team could play one of the non-division opponents twice, either a "designated rival" each year or all of the teams on a rotating basis.

A team would play its six division opponents twice every year.  It would play its seven non-division opponents once each year (unless it played a non-division rival or a rotating non-division opponent twice).

Over time, a team would play its six division opponents twice every year (and non-division rivals twice each year if they exist).  It would play non-division opponents once every year unless the rotating non-division opponent plan is used, in which case it would play non-division opponents eight times in seven years.

The number of conference games would increase from 16 to either 19 or 20.  In a 14-team ACC tournament, the two division winners would presumably get a first-round bye.

Plan C: Two Divisions, Not Round-Robin, 16 or 17 Conference Games

This is probably the most controversial idea because it would result in some conference teams not meeting each other during a season.   Presumed setup (two possible scenarios):

(1) Each team plays its six division opponents twice and four non-division opponents (and not play three of the non-division teams), or

(2) Each team plays its six division opponents twice, a non-division rival twice, and two or three non-division opponents (and not play three or four of the non-division teams).

Over time, a team would play its six division opponents twice each year (and non-division rivals twice each year if they exist).  It would play non-division opponents less than once per year.  At best, non-division opponents would play every other year; at worst, non-division opponents would play twice every seven years.

The number of conference games would either remain at 16 or increase to 17.  In a 14-team ACC tournament, the two division winners would presumably get a first-round bye.

Pondering the Possibilities

I think given the choices, "Plan A" is the preferred method.   It gives the most flexibility to craft the schedule so that each team can play its own rivals as much as possible, and does not force a structured division onto all of the teams.  It also preserves the round-robin play, which I think is important.

How would you schedule the basketball games for a 14-team league?

Rating each team's conference schedule for 2022-23 season

ByIsaac Trotter Sep 20, 12:26 PM

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The ACC basketball conference matchups are set.  ACC coaches might tell you that each game in the conference is a war, but some schedules are much easier than others. Unlike the Big 12, the ACC has an unbalanced schedule due to its sheer size. In a 15-team league, it's impossible for each team to play each other twice in a round-robin format.

"I hate the unbalanced schedules," TCU coach Jamie Dixon said on the College Hoops Today podcast with Jon Rothstein. "You’ve seen what can happen in the ACC especially and the Big East. It crowned winners that weren’t the best team. The schedule is too important. It was really a cause for not having your best team win the league."

In order to calculate which teams in the ACC have a favorable schedule, we used our own power rankings along with Rothstein's and analytic-based website Bart Torvik's to calculate the average projected finish for each team in 2022-23. We weighted home games 2.5% easier and road games 2.5% harder. We then calculated the strength of schedule rating for each team's conference games.

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For this exercise, a higher strength of schedule rating means that team plays more of the projected worse teams. A lower strength of schedule rating means the schedule features more of the projected better teams. Each ACC team plays six different opponents twice. Getting to play multiple lower-rated teams twice was a big advantage. Obviously, teams can outplay preseason expectations, so this isn't a perfect exercise. But it certainly shines a light on the teams that can take advantage of the unbalanced schedules in the push for an ACC championship.

Editor's note: The teams are listed from easiest to hardest.

(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 173.38

What it means: Clemson has the easiest conference schedule in the ACC by a wide margin. The Tigers get to play projected bottom-feeders like Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State and Wake Forest twice. Clemson only has to play Duke, Miami and Notre Dame once and all three of those games come at home. Yes, playing North Carolina on the road will be tough, but only having to play the Tar Heels once is certainly helpful. There are still a lot of questions about if this Clemson roster is good enough to make the NCAA Tournament, but its ACC schedule is as soft as it could be. If star big man P.J. Hall can successfully recover from offseason knee surgery, Clemson could be in position to take advantage of the schedule-makers generosity.

(Photo: Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina, Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 166.82

What it means: It's championship or bust for North Carolina in 2022-23. The Tar Heels have the second-easiest conference schedule by a fraction of a decimal. North Carolina should make hay in the six games against NC State, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest.  North Carolina only has to play Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech once. All three of those teams are talented enough to make the NCAA Tournament. Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels have to feel good about their draw, but North Carolina will have a target on its back every single game this season.

(Photo: ACC media, Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 166.77

What it means: Miami's hefty name, image and likeness (NIL) deals helped the Hurricanes reel in studs like Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier out of the transfer portal. Miami's schedule sets up favorably for the Hurricanes to compete for an ACC title. Miami only has to play Virginia, Notre Dame and North Carolina once. It gets two games against Pittsburgh, Louisville and NC State. Miami is good enough to beat anybody it goes up against this season, but the Hurricanes coaching staff has to be thankful the 'Canes are not staring down a brutal conference slate.

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 166.55

What it means: Jim Boeheim is going to be leaning on a lot of young, unproven talent in 2022-23. Syracuse definitely has a strong chance to finish over .500 in ACC play if it can take advantage of a pair of matchups against teams like Boston College, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. Syracuse only has to play Duke and North Carolina once and both games happen to be at home, which certainly helps. Florida State and Miami are only on the schedule one time.

(Photo: Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 165.85

What it means: Let's start with the bad news for Notre Dame. Two tough dates with both North Carolina and Florida State are on tap. But Notre Dame can legitimately flirt with at least 14 ACC wins if it sweeps both games against teams like Syracuse, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Boston College who are all projected to finish lower than the Fighting Irish in the conference standings.  Only having to play Virginia, Miami and Duke once is a blessing in disguise for Notre Dame.

(Photo: Ken Ruinard, Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 165.36

What it means: Georgia Tech has a lot of ground to make up in the ACC, and it got a big break in the schedule. North Carolina, Duke, Florida State, Miami and Virginia are regarded as the top-5 teams in the league. Georgia Tech only has to play each of those top teams one time. If Georgia Tech wants to leapfrog teams and escape the ACC basement, it has to take advantage of two games against NC State, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

(Photo: Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 163.95

What it means: Duke is always going to play rivals like Wake Forest and North Carolina twice. Wake Forest is not projected to be vicious, but North Carolina might be the best team in the country, so that's basically a wash. But Jon Scheyer got a break by getting to play Boston College and NC State two times apiece. Notre Dame and Florida State are both going to be very good, and Duke gets to play each of those teams just once and those games are at home. The road matchup at Virginia will be tough, but Duke will not be intimidated by anybody on the slate. Duke doesn't have the best schedule in the league, but it's among the top tier.

(Photo: Travis Register, 247Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 163.43

What it means: Clemson owns the easiest schedule but the schedules are pretty similar from second-easiest North Carolina all the way to eighth-easiest Florida State. The Seminoles get two matchups against Clemson, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Going 6-0 in those games will be necessary if Florida State wants to win the ACC. The Seminoles only have to play North Carolina and Duke once, so those games will be enormous and have a big impact on the shuffling at the top of the ACC standings.  

(Photo: UVA Athletics)

Strength of schedule rating: 160.93

What it means: This is where the schedules start to stiffen. Virginia has the roster to win the league after getting all five starters back and adding a sparkling recruiting class. But Tony Bennett will have to face North Carolina, Florida State and Virginia Tech twice. Virginia does get a pair of games against Boston College and Louisville who are both projected to finish near the bottom of the ACC standings. There is only one Duke-Virginia showdown on the slate, and it comes at home for Bennett's crew. Win that game, and Duke might have a hard time leapfrogging Virginia in the standings due to the tiebreaker advantage.

 (Photo: © Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 156.05

What it means: The good news for new Louisville coach Kenny Payne is that the Cardinals only have to play Duke and North Carolina once. But Miami, Florida State and Virginia could all be fantastic, so two games against those frontrunners will be a massive challenge. Louisville's guards are a major question mark heading into the 2022-23 campaign, and the Cardinals' lack of depth at point guard will be tested. The Cardinals' schedule certainly could be tougher, but it would've been clutch for Louisville if it got to play Boston College and Wake Forest more than just once.

(Photo: Nell Redmond, USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 153.53

What it means: Pitt has its work cut out if it wants to make a big leap in the ACC. Jeff Capel has to play North Carolina, Miami and Florida State twice. Winning one or two of those six games will be vital for the Panthers. Pittsburgh does get two games against Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Getting Virginia, Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College at home is extremely convenient, but road dates at Duke, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech are brutal.

(Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo / Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame @Hoophall)

Strength of schedule rating: 151.3

What it means: This Virginia Tech roster is very likable. It has the talent to be frisky in the ACC, but the schedule is really tough. Two games against really good teams like Duke, Miami and Virginia will not be easy. Virginia Tech does get solo games against Florida State and North Carolina at home, but only getting one game against low-rated teams like Georgia Tech, NC State, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Louisville is a tough break. If Virginia Tech finishes near the top of the ACC standings, it will be well earned.

(Photo: Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 150.09

What it means: North Carolina, Duke and Miami might be the best three teams in the ACC. NC State has to play each of those three teams two times. Thanks to the return of star guard Terquavion Smith, the Wolfpack will certainly be able to give a scare to some of the top teams in the league. But Kevin Keatts desperately needs a bid to the NCAA Tournament. NC State cannot afford to hit lulls in this brutal ACC schedule if it hopes to make that plan a reality. 

(Photo: Logan Bowles, USA TODAY Sports)

Strength of schedule rating: 148.78

What it means: Wake Forest was a pleasant surprise last season, but it will not be easy to do again. Wake Forest has double-dates with North Carolina, Notre Dame and Duke. Wake Forest only has to play Florida State, Virginia, Virginia Tech once, and all three of those games will be at home. But Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Louisville are projected to finish in the bottom-four of the ACC, and Wake Forest only gets to play those three teams one time.

 (Photo: Brianna Paciorka, Knoxville News Sentinel, Getty)

Strength of schedule rating: 146.9

What it means: This is such a tough schedule for a Boston College team that is not projected to be very good. Boston College has to play Duke, Notre Dame, Virginia and Virginia Tech twice. Road dates against North Carolina, Miami and Florida State will be extremely tough. Boston College has a lot of continuity returning, so it could be poised to play a lot better, even if the record doesn't necessarily reflect that improved play due to the challenging schedule.

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Rusichi - Official site of BC "Rusichi"

#	Team	and	B	P	(+/-)	O
1.	"Khimki" (Moscow region)	0	0	0	0/0	0
2.	"Dynamo" (Vladivostok)	0	0	0	0/0	0
3.	"Novosibirsk" (Novosibirsk)	0	0	0	0/0	0
4.	"University-Yugra" (Surgut)	0	0	0	0/0	0
5.	"Dome-Rodniki" (Izhevsk)	0	0	0	0/0	0
6.	"CSKA-2" (Moscow)	0	0	0	0/0	0
7.	"Zenith-2" (St. Petersburg)	0	0	0	0/0	0
8.	"Temp-SUMZ-UMMC" (Revda)	0	0	0	0/0	0
9.	Runa (Moscow)	0	0	0	0/0	0
10.	"Irkut" (Irkutsk)	0	0	0	0/0	0
11.	"Barnaul" (Barnaul)	0	0	0	0/0	0
12.	"SShOR-Lokomotiv-Kuban"	0	0	0	0/0	0
13.	Rusichi (Kursk)	0	0	0	0/0	0
14.	"Uralmash" (Yekaterinburg)	0	0	0	0/0	0
15.	"Tambov" (Tambov region)	0	0	0	0/0	0

#	Team	and	B	P	(+/-)	O
1.	"Dynamo" (Vladivostok)	4	4	0	45	8
2.	"Zenith-2" (St. Petersburg)	4	3	1	4	7
3.	"Novosibirsk" (Novosibirsk)	4	2	2	27	6
4.	Runa (Moscow)	3	3	0	49	6
5.	"Khimki" (Moscow region)	4	2	2	15	6
6.	"University-Yugra" (Surgut)	4	2	2	29	6
7.	"Uralmash" (Yekaterinburg)	3	3	0	88	6
8.	"Temp-SUMZ-UMMC" (Revda)	3	3	0	46	6
9.	"CSKA-2" (Moscow)	4	1	3	-8	5
10.	Rusichi (Kursk)	4	1	3	-69	5
11.	"Tambov" (Tambov region)	4	1	3	-37	5
12.	"Irkut" (Irkutsk)	4	1	3	-14	5
13.	"Dome-Rodniki" (Izhevsk)	4	1	3	-30	5
14.	"Barnaul" (Barnaul)	4	1	3	-78	5
15.	"SShOR-Lokomotiv-Kuban"	3	0	3	-67	3

#	Team	and	B	P	(+/-)	O
1.	"Uralmash Yekaterinburg"	24	18	6	2050/1745	42
2.	"Dynamo Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Region"	24	18	6	2191/1835	42
3.	"Ufimets Ufa"	24	15	9	2039/1808	39
4.	"Cheboksary Hawks Cheboksary"	24	14	10	1921/1750	38
5.	Runa-Basket Moscow	24	11	13	1719/1716	35
6.	"AltaiBasket Barnaul"	24	5	19	1679/2221	29
7.	"Neftekhimik Tobolsk"	24	3	21	1753/2277	27

#	Team	and	B	P	(+/-)	O
1.	BK "Yunost"	6	0	6	-108	5
2.	"Pryamitsyno"	3	2	1	49	5
3.	"Atomenergosbyt"	3	2	1	42	5
4.	"KGU"	3	2	1	11	5
5.	"Kursk NPP"	2	2	0	21	4
6.	"Rusichi-3"	2	1	1	-17	3
7.	"Rusichi-2"	1	1	0	2	2

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