The ACC/Big Ten Challenge schedule for next basketball season was released Monday, and it appears the ACC has a favorable slate in its attempt to regain control of a series it once dominated.
North Carolina at Indiana and Ohio State at Duke highlight the schedule, but interesting games such as N.C. State at Michigan and Michigan State at Miami give the popular series two nights of contests that should generate plenty of national attention.
The ACC won the first 10 Challenges before the Big Ten captured the last three. Here is a quick look at the 12 games that make up the next ACC/Big Ten Challenge:
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Nebraska at Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons won in Lincoln a year ago and will be favored to capture this game. Wake has two fine ACC players in guard C.J. Harris and small forward Travis McKie. Tim Miles takes over a Cornhuskers program that has never won an NCAA Tournament game. Edge goes to Wake.
Iowa at Virginia Tech – The Hawkeyes are in better shape right now under Fran McCaffery and will bring some cohesion to Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies are an imploding mess under recently-hired coach James Johnson, who presumably got the job to keep the team together, but has since lost the highest-rated recruit in school history and this year’s top recruit. Edge goes to Iowa.
Maryland at Northwestern – The Wildcats almost finally reached the NCAA Tournament this past season, but should expect some drop off. The Terrapins might be the most underrated team in the series and should go into Evanston, Ill, and notch a win. Sophomores Nick Faust and Alex Len should show significant improvements. Edge goes to Maryland.
Minnesota at Florida State – Just because the Seminoles lost plenty of players doesn’t mean they will be in rapid decline. FSU has Michael Snaer back and will again finish in the upper half of the ACC. The Gophers return a nice nucleus plus Trevor Mbakwe was granted a sixth year, so expect Tubby Smith’s squad to make a push here. Edge goes to FSU.
N.C. State at Michigan – C.J. Leslie returning to the Wolfpack for his junior year could be the difference in NCSU climbing back onto the national stage for an entire season for the first time in eons. Michigan has talent, is well coached, and its style will challenge a Wolfpack defense that must improve its discipline. Being at home is crucial. Edge goes to Michigan.
North Carolina at Indiana – The marquee game of the Challenge’s first night, the Tar Heels last visited IU in the 2004-05 season, in which UNC later won the national championship. This Carolina team has talent and a potential star in forward James Michael McAdoo, but it might not be ready to win a game like this on the road in November. IU has Cody Zeller, plenty of veterans, incoming talent, and Tom Crean finally has this machine humming. This will be a great atmosphere and potentially a terrific, high-scoring affair. Edge goes to Indiana.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Boston College at Penn State – BC will again be very young and is likely a year away from challenging for to make a move toward the middle of the ACC. PSU is also a bit in flux still, but being at home should help it overcome what may be a sloppy game, at least one would think so. Edge goes to BC.
Virginia at Wisconsin – The Badgers have been to 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and the Cavaliers finally returned to the dance last season. Wisconsin should get in again next March, and UVa will contend for a spot. But, even though these are a couple of solid teams, this could be an ugly game, as both are known for occasionally playing ridiculously low-scoring contests. First team to 30 wins. Edge goes to Wisconsin.
Purdue at Clemson – The Boilermakers won’t be very big and may struggle with Clemson’s only real strength as of now: It’s inside game. Of course, that’s all predicated on whether or not Milton Jennings finally plays to his potential. Could be a defensive struggle. Edge goes to Clemson.
Georgia Tech at Illinois – This would have been a fantastic matchup in the middle of the last decade, but both programs have fallen a bit. Illinois welcomes in new coach John Groce while Brian Gregory is in his second year with the Yellow Jackets. The Illini have more depth and playing at home is a significant advantage. Edge goes to Illinois.
Michigan State at Miami – This should be a terrific matchup. The Hurricanes are deep and talented, while Tom Izzo’s Spartans are always deep enough and talented enough. MSU will try to flex its muscles while the Canes will use their speed, quickness and experience to earn a victory. Should be a fun game. Edge goes to Miami.
Ohio State at Duke – The Buckeyes won’t be the same team that clobbered Duke in last year’s Challenge by 22 points in Columbus, but Duke may not be as good, either. That depends on if the Blue Devils can add another player (still recruiting a hot shot high school senior). Duke has more experience returning and plenty of upper classmen, plus being at home, means the Blue Devils have no excuses to not get revenge. Edge goes to Duke.
