Which team needs a win most in Wednesday's blue-blood showdowns?
When conference expansion ran rampant almost 10 years ago, some of the greatest rivalries in college sports were thrown away.
In football, Texas-Texas A&M on Thanksgiving was roasted like a "Christmas Vacation" turkey, the Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia turned to just backyard chatter between neighbors, and the Border War featuring Kansas and Missouri turned into a stalemate.
Super conferences and the chance for more television money have robbed fans of some historic contests between rivals.
However, Wednesday evening's clash between blue bloods Duke-Syracuse and Louisville-North Carolina will bear fruit for all college fans, something not possible each season if Syracuse and Louisville didn't leave the Big East and American for the ACC.
With two weeks left in the regular season, teams are battling for seeds - or in the case of Syracuse a berth - in the NCAA Tournament.
Here is, from least to most, how much a win Wednesday would mean to each school.
North Carolina
Rank: 8
Record: 23-5 (11-3 ACC)
Streak: Won 2
Remaining Schedule: @ Pitt, @ No. 18 Virginia, vs. No. 10 Duke
The Tar Heels have been models of consistency this season, dropping just two non-conference games (Indiana and Kentucky) and leading the ACC with an 11-3 record.
Their losses to Georgia Tech and Miami were head-scratchers, but wins over Florida State, Notre Dame, and Virginia in conference have kept them in the top half of the polls all season long.
The NCAA Tournament selection committee had the Tar Heels as a No. 2 seed on Feb. 11, even after their loss to rival Duke.
Since then, North Carolina has pounded NC State and No. 18 Virginia.
The remaining schedule is not as hard as Duke's, but it isn't a cake walk either. North Carolina could afford a loss with a chance to make it up later, as it's already being viewed highly by the selection committee.
Duke
Rank: 10
Record: 22-5 (10-4 ACC)
Streak: Won 7
Remaining Schedule: @ Miami, vs. No. 19 Florida State, @ No. 8 North Carolina
One of the hottest teams in the country, Duke is still trying to prove doubters wrong, as for every impressive win over a ranked team (Notre Dame, North Carolina and Virginia), there has been closer-than-needed wins over Wake Forest (twice) and Clemson.
Syracuse is the weaker opponent between the two matchups and a loss, though not crippling, would not look good.
The Blue Devils have a difficult schedule to end the regular season, but a loss to the Orange could be erased by beating Miami and one of either Florida State or North Carolina.
If the Blue Devils win out, then Coach K has his team playing where it was supposed to be, No. 1.
Louisville
Rank: 7
Record: 22-5 (10-4 ACC)
Streak: Won 3
Remaining Schedule: vs. Syracuse, @ Wake Forest, vs. No. 21 Notre Dame
Louisville has been able to manage a season with multiple injuries and suspensions to the team, sitting one game behind North Carolina for first in the ACC, tied with Duke.
Slowly, with their suspended players back and others returning to full health, Louisville will be looking to reverse a trend when it comes to facing ranked opponents.
This season, the Cardinals are 1-4 against ranked teams in conference play, with their lone win coming against a Coach K-less Duke team on Jan. 14.
With a chance to improve on that record and move into a tie for first in the conference, a lot is riding on their game against the Tar Heels. Plus, it's the highest-profile game left to be played before the conference tournament for Louisville.
Syracuse
Rank: Unranked
Record: 16-12 (8-7 ACC)
Streak: Lost 4
Remaining Schedule: @ No. 7 Louisville, vs. Georgia Tech
The Orange and Jim Boeheim need a win Wednesday night in the worst way possible, as they have lost four straight, none more damaging to their resume than a road loss to Georgia Tech on Sunday.
Leading by three at the half, Syracuse disappeared, making a multitude of mistakes and going ice cold from the floor. The most memorable moment from the game was Boeheim getting snippy with a reporter over a claim that his team was impatient.
After winning five straight games and taking down Florida State and Virginia, it looked like Syracuse was going to be a lock to make the tournament. Now, with a daunting next two games, Syracuse could go from Final Four to NIT in the span of a year.
Also not helping is the fact the Orange only have two games left on their schedule after Duke.