Tradition big loser in new ACC format Posted Feb 4, 2012 At a time when the ACC buzz meter is relatively low in the two major sports, the league announced a scheduling policy Friday that will take another deep cut into its basketball popularity. In preparation for the arrivals of Pittsburgh and Syracuse as members, the league said UNC and N.C. State and Duke and Maryland no longer will be guaranteed to play each other twice a season when the membership hits 14 teams. (Charlotte Observer)