Rush The Court

One of the annual marquee non-conference events of the college basketball season arrives this week, and the Big Ten/ACC Challenge is as enticing as ever. With the Big Ten coming in as the presumed toughest conference in the country, it has the opportunity to shine against some of the nation’s most storied programs under a bright spotlight. It’ll be the first true test for some of the conference’s top squads and a chance for the Big Ten to show its substantial depth. The ACC won the first 10 challenges, but the Big Ten has won the last three. Here are a few predictions for the week’s match-ups:

Tuesday’s Games

• Iowa at Virginia Tech (7:15 PM, ESPNU): The Hawkeyes’ hot start was slowed this week by Wichita State, and things don’t get any easier when they travel to face undefeated Virginia Tech. But Fran McCaffery has an upstart group that can rebound the ball. The test will be in slowing the Hokies — expect a high-scoring ballgame. Iowa 88, Virginia Tech 82.
• Minnesota at Florida State (7:15 PM, ESPN2): The most popular sleeper pick in the conference has been as advertised, even without contributions from All-Big Ten senior Trevor Mbakwe. But the Gophers will need him Tuesday night against a Florida State team that traditionally excels inside. The ‘Noles can score (26th in the country, with 80.4 PPG) but aren’t as tough on the glass as usual (187th overall). That will be the deciding factor. Minnesota 77, Florida State 69.
• N.C. State at Michigan (7:30 PM, ESPN): What was billed as perhaps the most intriguing game of the Challenge took a bit of a hit when the Wolfpack was beaten soundly by Oklahoma State last week and then snuck by UNC-Asheville. Suffice it to say, Michigan’s freshmen are a bit further along the learning curve than N.C. State’s gifted newcomers. Michigan 79, N.C. State 70.
• Nebraska at Wake Forest (9:15 PM, ESPNU): Give credit to Tim Miles‘ inexperienced group for winning a couple of decent ballgames early in the season. But things get tricky here, and a trip to Tobacco Road spells trouble for the Cornhuskers, who simply have not embraced the Big Ten’s knack for rebounding in the early stages. They also can’t score. Wake Forest 72, Nebraska 60.
• Maryland at Northwestern (9:15 PM, ESPN2): This is Northwestern’s first real test of a young undefeated season (though Illinois State proved to be no cakewalk). Senior Reggie Hearn has been a bright spot early, upping his scoring this season more than six points per game, to lend Drew Crawford a hand. But that may not be enough. Stopping Alex Len in the post will be a challenge. Maryland 78, Northwestern 71.
• North Carolina at Indiana (9:30 PM, ESPN): Assembly Hall will surely be rocking for the Hoosiers’ first game this season against a ranked opponent. They were tested against Georgetown, whose bigs could have provided a nice warm-up for the talented frontcourt of North Carolina. The Tar Heels’ speed and athleticism will be unlike anything Indiana has seen this season, though, but the Hoosiers have the depth to match. They’ll hold it down for the conference’s heavyweights. Indiana 85, North Carolina 79.

Wednesday’s Games

• Virginia at Wisconsin (7 PM, ESPN2): The Badgers, ranked in the Top 10 to start the season last year, played in one of the Challenge’s headliners last season. This year, they’ve been relegated to a lesser slot. Just another example of people sleeping on a Bo Ryan team. The Badgers were embarrassed at Florida, but have started to sort things out without Josh Gasser. Only the best can knock off Wisconsin at the Kohl Center and Virginia does not qualify. Wisconsin 66, Virginia 55.
• Purdue at Clemson (7:15 PM, ESPNU): The slowest start to the conference season among Big Ten teams belongs to Matt Painter‘s group, which has struggled through the rebuilding process in its first five games. They’re tough on the glass, but struggle to shoot the ball. Clemson doesn’t work at the fast-paced rate it’s been accustomed to over the last few years, but home-court advantage should give the Tigers the leg up here. Another tough loss for the Boilers. Clemson 67, Purdue 60.
• Michigan State at Miami (7:30 PM, ESPN): Without Gary Harris and Travis Trice, the Spartans’ offense has faltered. They’re turning the ball over at an alarming rate and too much pressure has fallen onto the shoulders of Keith Appling. Without two of the team’s best runners, the fast break offense has taken a dive and the Spartans look sluggish at times, squeaking out wins against Boise State and Louisiana-Lafayette. They won’t have the same margin for error at Miami. Miami 63, Michigan State 58.
• Georgia Tech at Illinois (9 PM, ESPN2): It was hard to say what to expect in the early going from John Groce and the Illini, particularly after the growing pains seen during the exhibition portion of their schedule. But they’ve handled all comers and emerged as the best team at the Maui Invitational. Next up, a sure-to-be overwhelmed Georgia Tech group walking into a fired-up Assembly Hall. The Illini remain undefeated. Illinois 79, Georgia Tech 69.
• Boston College at Penn State (9:15 PM, ESPNU): This is sure to be the most dreadful game of the Challenge, with the two worst teams in the respective conferences meeting up. But someone has to win, right? Give the edge to an inspired Penn State squad, now led by the up-and-coming D.J. Newbill, who has taken over in the absence of Tim Frazier. Penn State 58, Boston College 52.
• Ohio State at Duke (9:30 PM, ESPN): A rematch of last year’s headliner, in which the Buckeyes throttled Duke in Columbus. Both teams are highly-ranked once again, but the Blue Devils already have the best non-conference resume in the country just a few weeks into the season. Ohio State has not been tested in the same way, and a trip to Duke may just rattle the Buckeyes’ cages a bit. So long as fatigue doesn’t catch up with the Blue Devils after this tough stretch, they’ll state their case to be the No. 1 team in the country. Duke 75, Ohio State 70.

Final Total: The toughest conference in the land is as advertised and the Big Ten takes home its fourth consecutive title. Big Ten 7, ACC 5.