ACC Will Play 18 Conference Games In 2012-13

(Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

ACC Commissioner John Swofford announced yesterday that beginning in the 2012-13 season the league will play an 18-game conference schedule in men's and women's basketball.

"Our member institutions have been talking about this increase for a while and knowing our league will be expanding to 14 in the future, we've decided to move to an 18-game conference schedule next year, regardless of our membership number," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "The additional conference games create a more equitable schedule and we've received significant feedback from our fans for more conference games."

One one hand this is good for obvious reasons, but on the other it means fewer non-conference game and a concern that teams will steer away from tough non-conference opponents in the face of a grueling 18 game conference schedule.

Could get trick for some good non-conference rivalries like UNC v. Kentucky and Duke v. Whatever Team Will Play The Blue Devils At Madison Square Garden.