The Cameron Crazies have made the “not our rivals” chant a staple of Duke-Maryland basketball games. And beginning in the 2014-2015 season, that statement will be fact.
The Terrapins announced they have accepted an invitation to join the leave the ACC and join the Big Ten, which will become a 14-team conference with the addition of Rutgers, which, at press time, is expected to depart from the Big East Tuesday.
Maryland will be required to pay a $50 million buyout to leave the ACC. The exit fee was raised to $50 million after the addition of Notre Dame for all sports except football, and Maryland and Florida State were the only schools to vote against the increase.
“Our best wishes are extended to all of the people associated with the University of Maryland. Since our inception, they have been an outstanding member of our conference, and we are sorry to see them exit,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a statement released by the conference. Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and Kevin White, director of athletics, both declined comment via Jon Jackson, associate athletic director for media relations and public affairs.
Pittsburgh and Syracuse are set to join the ACC next year after announcing last year they reached an agreement to leave the Big East.