Why would ACC AD's want to deprive their student athletes of an "ACC Champion" title?
Why would MAC AD's want to deprive their student athletes of an "MAC Champion" title?
Conferences can be a bit egotistical, with exception to the EIWA melting pot. But the EIWA is just that, the melting pot for alienated schools.
If the combination of the ACC + b12 doesn't enhance the chance for an ACC wrestler to get to the Championship, then why create an alignment. Personally, I see no benefit to the ACC student athlete or coach. Ditto MAC. Sure the MAC let in Missouri and Northern Iowa, but have to be questioning the impact on the student athletes of the original MAC schools. Adding the B12 suddenly reduces the chance of a " MAC Champion" title.
Since all B12's now go into the at-Large Pool, has anyone calculated how many would have qualified if that format existed this year? Essentially, I think it hurts B12 since no one can upset their way into the championship tournament for a spot. Conference seeds that did poorly typically received an at-large bid anyway enabling more wrestlers to qualify than the B12 allotment.
Bottom line the year end "B12 tournament" is now moot. Upside, they can settle the conference title in a weekend quad meet.