With three new additions, the ACC tournament will be different.
The ACC will add California, SMU, and Stanford next year. With those additions, there are bound to be changes to how things work within the conference. The ACC tournament format will be changed.
New ACC Tournament
Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic reported today that with 18 total ACC teams in 2024-2025, only 15 will make the conference tournament. The three teams with the worst conference record will be left out.
Currently, the ACC has 15 members, and each team, no matter its record, plays in the conference tournament.
Outlook For New Members
Let’s look at how the three new members are doing in their conferences this season, as of today.
Cal
Men: 10-14 overall (6-7 in conference).
Women: 15-10 overall (5-8 in conference).
Cal is likely going to be in a rough spot in the ACC. Both its men’s and women’s programs have struggled for years. It will only be tougher once they get to the ACC. It does not help that they will be traveling across the country weekly for games.
SMU
Men: 17-7 overall (8-3 in conference).
Women: 11-12 overall (5-7 in conference).
The Mustangs have had really good men’s teams in the past and are often solid. The women’s team has only had three winning seasons in their last 10. Time will only tell what they can do in a tougher conference.
Stanford
Men: 12-11 overall (7-6 in conference).
Women: 22-3 overall (11-2 in conference).
Stanford’s women are a consistent powerhouse and are led by the all-time winningest coach, Tara VanDerveer. They will likely fair well, even in a loaded ACC. The men’s side has often gotten good talent but has not been able to capitalize.
The three new additions will have their work cut out for them.
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