It’s that time of year again – time for the ACC to give the Big Ten an extended, three-day beatdown. TourneyBubble sees the games breaking down this way:
Wisconsin at Virginia Tech: Tech needs this one in the worst way, although they have to pick up their overall play to pull this one out: Virginia Tech 65, Wisconsin 62
Duke at Purdue: In what should be the marquee game of the Challenge, Purdue has a chance to mark their arrival on the national scene. This has statement game written all over it: Purdue 80, Duke 72
Clemson at Illinois: Probably the toughest game to call. I see this one as being the one true surprise of the Challenge (if it even counts as a surprise): Clemson 66, Illinois 64
North Carolina vs. Michigan State: Two things could affect this game: Ford Field’s kindness to UNC’s shooters, and Tyler Hansbrough’s health. Due to what lower-tier ACC squad Maryland did to the Spartans, you have to give the nod to Carolina here in a semi-road setting: North Carolina 86, Michigan State 75
Ohio State at Miami: The home team would get the nod either way in this matchup. Should be a great game: Miami 70, Ohio State 66
Virginia at Minnesota: UVA played admirably at Syracuse, but Minnesota should be playing with confidence due to their 6-0 start (even though they haven’t exactly beaten anybody good): Minnesota 60, Virginia 52
Iowa at Boston College: The Eagles need this one to climb back on the bubble. The win over UAB was a good start: Boston College 82, Iowa 74
Indiana at Wake Forest: Welcome to Beatdown City – Population: Indiana: Wake Forest 85, Indiana 62
Michigan at Maryland: Interesting game. If I were a gambling man, I wouldn’t touch a Maryland game with a ten-foot pole: Maryland 67, Michigan 62
Florida State at Northwestern: The Seminoles are playing well early in the season: Florida State 65, Northwestern 52
Penn State at Georgia Tech: This will be Georgia Tech’s first game against a real team, but homecourt gives them the edge here: Georgia Tech 75, Penn State 65
Overall: ACC 9, Big Ten 2
