The full schedule for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge has been released:
Mon., Nov. 29:
- Virginia at Minnesota
- North Carolina at Illinois
- Ohio State at Florida State
- Michigan at Clemson
- Georgia Tech at Northwestern
- Iowa at Wake Forest
- Michigan State at Duke
- Purdue at Virginia Tech
- N.C. State at Wisconsin
- Indiana at Boston College
- Maryland at Penn State
Big Ten fans shouldn't expect a repeat of last season, when they won the challenge for the first time in its 11 year history. While the Big Ten is loaded at the top of the league, their three best teams -- Michigan State, Purdue, and Ohio State -- all must hit the road this year. And they won't be playing nobodys, either.
Michigan State's trip to Cameron Indoor will be one of the most anticipated games of the season, and while the Spartans may get a couple votes as the preseason No. 1 team, its difficult to predict a Spartan victory considering Izzo's club always seems to get out of the gates slowly.
Ohio State is going to be in the top ten of most preseason polls, but this will be a team that relies very heavily on freshman, will be learning to play without Evan Turner, and could very well be playing their first true road game. And don't forget that this is a Florida State team that returns quite a bit of talent.
Purdue may have the easiest road, as they will be somewhere in the top three when the first preseason polls are released. That's what happens when you bring back your three stars. But Virginia Tech will be a top 25 team with Malcolm Delaney pulling out of the NBA Draft, and road games in November against top 25 teams are never cake walks.
The Big Ten will likely need to win two of those three games if they want to have a shot at winning a second straight challenge.
Of the home games that the Big Ten will have, Minnesota, who plays a Virginia team that lost Sylvan Landesberg, is the only overwhelming favorite. Illinois will have their hands full with a young and talented North Carolina team. Wisconsin, who is always great in the Kohl Center but who lost their starting back court, will draw an NC State team that will be much improved and should compete for a spot in the NCAA's. Penn State, who drew Maryland, and Northwestern, who will host Georgia Tech, are not exactly known for their basketball pedigree.
Wake Forest shouldn't have a problem with Iowa, and Clemson, despite losing Trevor Booker and Oliver Purnell, should take care of business against a Michigan team that lost their two best players.
The challenge could come down to the winner of Indiana and Boston College. Indiana has struggled since Tom Crean took over, but with their roster beginning to mature and the offseason turmoil at BC -- transfers leaving, a coaching change -- the Hoosiers will have a real shot at winning this game on the road.
My prediction: the ACC wins again, six to five.
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1 comment:
ill have to disagree with you on the biggest favorite from the big ten. Northwestern at home vs a rebuilding georgia tech team. i am a michigan fan but have watched alot of NU and they are tough. they return 4 starters, not counting koble who missed the entire year. crawford is also comming back off the bench. NU will be a top 15 team next year and should roll GT at home.
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