You’ve probably noticed this is a presidential election year. So naturally we’re wondering if we can deduce any signs from the electoral tea leaves, any parallels between the fates of ACC men’s basketball programs following presidential elections and the fates of Democratic and Republican candidates.
We limited our examination to team records in conference play, where the results are minimally skewed by schedule manipulation. Schools added to the ACC since the 2012 presidential election – Louisville, Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse -- were not included.
Republicans won eight of the 15 presidential elections decided since the ACC began – 1956, 1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2004.