ACCeptance speech?

How is Kyle Filipowski feeling after double hip surgery? Find out today when Jeff Goodman’s 1-on-1 interview with the Duke star drops on The Field of 68’s YouTube channel.

Let's get to the news.

1. ACC may still grow by three

Just when it seemed like Stanford, Cal and SMU were getting stiff-armed by the ACC, some conference presidents can’t let the idea go.

According to Thamel, there would be significant financial concessions needed by the schools (as if SMU’s concessions weren’t already enough), and a vote of 12 of 15 ACC schools would be required to approve the additions. One of the four schools opposed — reportedly Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and NC State — would need to vote yes.

And this could all go down by next week.

From a basketball POV, this does nothing to strengthen the ACC. SMU has never been a basketball winner, while Cal and Stanford have lagged in recent years. (Most of us at The Field of 68 do have high hopes for new Cal coach Mark Madsen, though.) It would be far more interesting for us hoops fans if UConn were among the considerations. (Or just stay in the Big East. Sorry I even brought it up.)

Does it also mean that if two of the remaining Pac-12 teams are scooped up the Mountain West can just go ahead and bring in Oregon State and Washington State, and we can just put a pin in this year’s portion of realignment talk?

2. The Main Event Worth Watching

The sheer number of November college hoops tournaments and MTEs means fans can often circle 3-4 events on the calendar as must-see TV. The 2023 Maui Invitational is rightfully hailed as the gem of the upcoming season, but the Battle 4 Atlantis, Empire Classic and ESPN Invitational are good examples of solid, potentially really competitive fields.

The Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas is another one.

If you remember last season’s Main Event — Virginia beat Baylor and Illinois, while UCLA somehow lost twice — it was a damn fine set of four games that helped people take notice of the Hoos and served as a wake-up call for the Bruins.

This year’s field might not have the same star power. Yet I find it oddly compelling.

San Diego State and Saint Mary’s might be the two best teams on the West Coast this season. (USC and Gonzaga raise eyebrows.) The Aztecs return enough pieces from last year’s Final Four squad that they’ll again be the MWC favorite, while the Gaels have the talent and experience to end the Zags’ run atop the WCC. That’s the clear game of the night and appointment viewing.

And the nightcap of Xavier vs. Washington? Consider it interesting for the storylines.

Both feature rosters with significant new additions via the transfer portal. And it’s a contrast of styles, with the Musketeers likely showcasing another high-powered offense against the Huskies’ long, likely stout defense.

The question will be whether UW coach Mike Hopkins can use this MTE as a springboard to a solid season. His seat is a little warm because of his 53-69 record over the past four seasons, and just one NCAA Tourney berth in six seasons. Xavier coach Sean Miller doesn’t have that problem after his stellar return to college hoops. But he’s got a medical issue to deal with (Jerome Hunter), a star coming off surgery (Zach Freemantle) and newbies to integrate into the offense (Dayvion McKnight and Quincy Olivari).

That game might not be easy on the eyes, but it’ll be interesting to see its lasting impact.

3. Planting his Flagg

Cooper Flagg’s recruitment will be a closely watched process over the next few months (maybe more) as he makes plans for where he’ll play during the 2024-25 college season.

He intends to go big for his first three official visits: Duke, Kansas and UConn, per 247 Sports.

The top recruit in the 2024 class, and perhaps the best prep player regardless of class, reportedly has the Blue Devils as the early leader, but given the Jayhawks and Huskies are the most recent national champs (and both have reeled in elite recruiting classes the last few years), it’d be foolish to dismiss either one.

And if we’re lucky, we’ll know where Flagg is headed by the time he plays in the 50th annual City of Palms Classic in December. Because that field is loaded with talent — and it’d be great to just watch the basketball versus listening to projections about where guys will be playing.

Among the prospects playing:

• Flagg

• Dylan Harper (No. 2 overall in 2024)

• Ace Bailey (No. 3 overall in 2024)

• Tre Johnson (No. 4 overall in 2024)

• Cam Boozer (No. 1 overall in 2025)

• Caleb Holt (No. 3 overall in 2026)

Hm. Maybe the Dec. 18-23 event will displace the college hoops games just before Christmas as the main basketball we’ll focus on in the Daily. (OK, it’s a long shot, but still.)

Devil for the details

Ahead of Jeff Goodman’s interview with Kyle Filipowski, do yourself a favor and watch him and Rob Dauster discuss why Duke’s offseason was so damn good for coach Jon Scheyer. Sure, getting Filipowski back in Durham is a big part. But there’s way more than that.

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Links as you decide if you really want to watch college football this weekend.

• Oregon is adding Stetson transfer Mahamadou Diawara.

• The Fort Myers Tip-Off expanded its field with App State, UNC Wilmington and Murray State.

• The Big 12 will use compliance software to monitor sports wagering.

• C-USA schools signed a 5-year Grant of Rights through 2027 to lock in its deal with ESPN and CBS Sports Network.

• Thompson-Boling Arena is now Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Rolls right off the tongue.

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