Duke to play MSU in ACC-Big Ten Challenge

[scottdude8]

If this needs to be moved to a scheduling thread or whatever please do so...

http://freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS18/5060386/1356/SPORTS/MSU-to-face-Duke-this-fall

If this is the case, I am ECSTATIC. Being a Michigan Wolverine fan nothing would please me more than sitting front row in Cameron to watch Kyrie Irving school Kalen Lucas, and watch the Plumlees dominate whichever throwaway big man the Sparties put out there. Plus, they should be a top 5 team next year, at least in the early going before their annual collapse...

I hate Michigan State, if you can't tell.:)

[Duke of Nashville]

Well that would make two out of the three 2010 final four representatives potentially on our schedule next year.....Where you at WV ???

[BD80]

...

http://freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS18/5060386/1356/SPORTS/MSU-to-face-Duke-this-fall

If this is the case, I am ECSTATIC. Being a Michigan Wolverine fan nothing would please me more than sitting front row in Cameron to watch Kyrie Irving school Kalen Lucas, and watch the Plumlees dominate whichever throwaway big man the Sparties put out there. Plus, they should be a top 5 team next year, at least in the early going before their annual collapse...

I hate Michigan State, if you can't tell.:)

Awesome news! I think this year's squad needs the toughest schedule we can put together, and I think an Izzo coached team is the kind of experience we need.

As for being a UM fan, you gotta kinda admit that UM brought this all down on themselves. Firing Tommy, great move - how's that been working out?

[blazindw]

If this needs to be moved to a scheduling thread or whatever please do so...

http://freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS18/5060386/1356/SPORTS/MSU-to-face-Duke-this-fall

If this is the case, I am ECSTATIC. Being a Michigan Wolverine fan nothing would please me more than sitting front row in Cameron to watch Kyrie Irving school Kalen Lucas, and watch the Plumlees dominate whichever throwaway big man the Sparties put out there. Plus, they should be a top 5 team next year, at least in the early going before their annual collapse...

I hate Michigan State, if you can't tell.:)

As do I! I agree with everything you said (except for the fact that I will be sitting front row...if you can help me out with that, it would be greatly appreciated ;))

[magjayran]

Does MSU really collapse annually? It seems like they go to a lot of Final Fours.

[scottdude8]

Awesome news! I think this year's squad needs the toughest schedule we can put together, and I think an Izzo coached team is the kind of experience we need.

As for being a UM fan, you gotta kinda admit that UM brought this all down on themselves. Firing Tommy, great move - how's that been working out?

I love Tommy, he's one of the nicest guys in the business (my Dad and I actually met him at a hotel in Princeton, NJ while Harvard was there to play the next day, talked to us for a half hour). But he was an AWFUL coach at Michigan. For however many years he was there, Michigan's offense was essentially passing the ball around the outside for 30 seconds, then realizing they were screwed, and throwing up an awful shot or drive... again, I love the guy, but he isn't a great coach. Sorry:(

And remember, UM never went to the Tourney with Tommy, but we've already made it once with Belein (or however you spell his name).

[scottdude8]

Does MSU really collapse annually? It seems like they go to a lot of Final Fours.

Here's the thing about MSU... every year they will either A) Overachieve in the Tournament after a disappointing regular season and reach the Final Four, or B) Tremendously underachieve for the whole year, and then get upset in the first couple of rounds. MSU rarely just makes it as far as you expect them too... they either make the Final Four or get upset early. And regardless, they do have a habit of underachieving in the regular season... remember, they were ranked NO. 2 in the polls preseason last year and barely got a 5 seed in the Tourney.

[whirlieduke4]

It should seem what he's talking about is the 'regular season collapse' of which they seem to go through every year before getting themselves ready for an end of the season run. Losing some conference games that they probably should win, there's a reason it appears to the casual basketball fan that they 'collapse' year after year. This next year MSU will be really solid, and a matchup with two out of the four other members of the 2010 final four will be awesome prep for an awesome season for Duke

Scottdude beat me to it, but that's what their annual 'collapse' is.

[DUKIECB]

How many non-conference home games have we won in a row now? This would be a serious test to keep that streak alive!

[ChicagoCrazy84]

How many non-conference home games have we won in a row now? This would be a serious test to keep that streak alive!

Oh My God, I am hyperventilating. I would love for this matchup to happen! What a game it would be!! Lucas vs. Smith/Irving. Summers vs. Singler, wow! Living in Chicago, I don't know if I'd be able to make it, but gosh darn it, I'd try like hell!

[Daniel tosh]

I really hope we get to play them next year.that wuld be an awesome matchup

[airowe]

Looks like they'll be a little depleted next year as well.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/11360/chris-allen-transfer-rumors-gaining-steam

I'm sure people will say we got an easy bracket in the ACC/BT Challenge too. Wonder if Kalin's achilles will be healed by then?

[cspan37421]

I love Tommy, he's one of the nicest guys in the business (my Dad and I actually met him at a hotel in Princeton, NJ while Harvard was there to play the next day, talked to us for a half hour). But he was an AWFUL coach at Michigan. For however many years he was there, Michigan's offense was essentially passing the ball around the outside for 30 seconds, then realizing they were screwed, and throwing up an awful shot or drive... again, I love the guy, but he isn't a great coach. Sorry:(

And remember, UM never went to the Tourney with Tommy, but we've already made it once with Belein (or however you spell his name).

Since Michigan went on probation about 5 minutes after the ink dried on his contract, I can't blame Tommy - it's very hard to recruit under such a cloud. He recruited and coached well at Seton Hall, and seems to be building the Harvard program well. He was also a Duke assistant - eventually the top one - during some very, very good years: 1988-1997. I believe that period included 2 championships, 2 runner-up finishes, and 2 other Final Fours. Granted, the last 3 tailed off, ... but given the handcuffed recruiting situation at Michigan, which I understand was in effect for 4 of his 6 years, he'd have needed a cult-like following to get players.

Did he not win the NIT in his 3rd year, despite the ranks being depleted of top recruits?

Sorry, but I see Tommy's UM experience as the exception, not the rule, in his career.

[roywhite]

And remember, UM never went to the Tourney with Tommy, but we've already made it once with Belein (or however you spell his name).

Michigan went into last season ranked #15 with returning players like Mannie Harris and Deshawn Sims. They finished up 15-17; major disappointment. Sounds like Rodriquez will not be the only Michigan coach with something to prove this coming year.

To the MSU game, glad to hear it. Should be a good test for the Plumlees inside and some good individual matchups.

[dukemsu]

If this needs to be moved to a scheduling thread or whatever please do so...

http://freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS18/5060386/1356/SPORTS/MSU-to-face-Duke-this-fall

If this is the case, I am ECSTATIC. Being a Michigan Wolverine fan nothing would please me more than sitting front row in Cameron to watch Kyrie Irving school Kalen Lucas, and watch the Plumlees dominate whichever throwaway big man the Sparties put out there. Plus, they should be a top 5 team next year, at least in the early going before their annual collapse...

I hate Michigan State, if you can't tell.:)

The annual collapse that ends with MSU in the Final Four?

dukemsu

[dukemsu]

Here's the thing about MSU... every year they will either A) Overachieve in the Tournament after a disappointing regular season and reach the Final Four, or B) Tremendously underachieve for the whole year, and then get upset in the first couple of rounds. MSU rarely just makes it as far as you expect them too... they either make the Final Four or get upset early. And regardless, they do have a habit of underachieving in the regular season... remember, they were ranked NO. 2 in the polls preseason last year and barely got a 5 seed in the Tourney.

MSU has had one season in the last 10 that could be considered a Tremendous Underachievement-2005-2006. That team was considered a Final Four favorite and was derailed all season.

To say that MSU is an underachieving program is simply inaccurate. And to hear it from a UM fan is hilarious.

dukemsu

[dukemsu]

Now that I've stopped laughing...

A Duke-MSU game would be a great early-season matchup. It appears the Spartans will be losing one more player-likely Chris Allen. Even without him, they'll be very good.

It may be another season similar to this one where the best time to play MSU is early, with Lucas recovering from an Achilles injury and two impact freshman, including Adriean Payne, into the rotation.

But that may also be the same story with the Devils, the champs retooling on the fly with Kyrie, Seth, and the other newcomers meshing with the returnees.

Great matchup and I hope it happens.

dukemsu

[scottdude8]

With regards to Tommy, I do not doubt he is a solid coach overall, and yes he didn't have the most talent at U of M. But the fact is, the things the coach can control, like the offensive sets, weren't very good... and we had a couple seasons we should've made the tourney but late season collapses doomed us.

And with regards to the recent stuff, I completely agree this year was a complete bust for Michigan... a lot of that was having only one or two seniors on the team, both of which were role players at best (they'll have ZERO seniors next season) and the fact that Manny Harris all but gave up on the team halfway through the year. I have faith in Belein, though... he's got his second straight solid recruiting class coming in this year too.

[scottdude8]

MSU has had one season in the last 10 that could be considered a Tremendous Underachievement-2005-2006. That team was considered a Final Four favorite and was derailed all season.

To say that MSU is an underachieving program is simply inaccurate. And to hear it from a UM fan is hilarious.

dukemsu

I didn't quite say they were underachieving... just that they are choke artists. Hopefully that cleared things up, haha.:)

In all seriousness, though, the Final Four streak is amazing, but they still only have 1 championship in that streak, not to mention the plethora of other years that were early exits. But who are we kidding, I'm incredibly biased...

[hedevil]

I'm really excited about a MSU matchup.

By the time the tourny (NCAA) gets here, this Duke team will really be battle tested, which has to be a great thing. If they get a 1 seed going into the tournament, there can't be any argument as to if they deserve it (though I'm sure criticism will come from somewhere regardless). Unlike this past year when many teams were down a bit, next year will present some improved teams on Duke's schedule. UNC (twice), N.C. State, a healthy(possibly) MSU team. Even a rematch with Butler. We're really going to see where Duke sits on the totum pole.

By the time Duke gets to the tourny, they may have really made a case that it is their tournament to lose. The BIG target on Duke's back (for being Duke and the defending NC's) may only get bigger come tourny time, if that's even possible. I hope so!:D

[dukemsu]

I didn't quite say they were underachieving... just that they are choke artists. Hopefully that cleared things up, haha.:)

In all seriousness, though, the Final Four streak is amazing, but they still only have 1 championship in that streak, not to mention the plethora of other years that were early exits. But who are we kidding, I'm incredibly biased...

My last comment on this as this is the Duke board, but you're clearly wrong again. Early exits in 02, 04 and 06 are hardly a plethora. I'd rather have those exits than early exits in the NIT like the Wolvies. I'd suggest sticking to football trash talking.

And State's losses in the Final 4, ugly as two of them to UNC have been, have generally come to higher ranked teams. Arizona in 2001 is the only exception, unless you count a crippled team this season. Hardly choke artists.

dukemsu

[CameronBornAndBred]

http://freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS18/5060386/1356/SPORTS/MSU-to-face-Duke-this-fall

That's the worst article ever. It says nothing other than the teams "might" play. You think he would at least quote a source from where he heard this. He quotes Izzo, but he doesn't say much. Oh well..IF it happens, it would be great fun.

[arydolphin]

More confirmation in this article from Jeff Goodman, who is the main college basketball writer for FoxSports.com. He's really good with his info, so I trust him more than the Freep article; Goodman was the guy that broke the Singler staying story, IIRC. Anyways, here's the link: http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/2010/05/10/heavy_hitting_big_ten-acc_challenge_matchups

For those that don't want to read the link, not all of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchups are set, but the big ones are as follows:
Michigan State at Duke
Purdue at Virginia Tech
Ohio State at Florida State
North Carolina at Illinois
NC State at Wisconsin

[airowe]

I don't know how long it takes for an Achilles Heel injury to heal, but I'd guess Kalin Lucas will still be feeling some effects.

Also, if the reports of Chris Allen's departure are true, Duke's backcourt could be too much to handle for the depleted Spartans.

Nevertheless, it will be a great early season matchup in Cameron and the atmosphere will be absolutely electric.

[dukemsu]

I don't know how long it takes for an Achilles Heel injury to heal, but I'd guess Kalin Lucas will still be feeling some effects.

Also, if the reports of Chris Allen's departure are true, Duke's backcourt could be too much to handle for the depleted Spartans.

Nevertheless, it will be a great early season matchup in Cameron and the atmosphere will be absolutely electric.

For what it's worth, Chris Allen's mother has been quoted as saying that the rumors are just that and that Allen will be back at MSU for his senior year.

Things could change, but the rumor mill has now switched to Korie Lucious being the most likely transfer candidate. The buzz was much, much, louder on Allen.

Izzo may also have been playing head games in the press with his comments last week about how someone else may be going. He's known to do that.

You're absolutely right on Lucas, however. He's said to be recovering ahead of schedule, but an Achilles injury is the worst injury that could happen to a jet-quick guard.

dukemsu

[ElSid]

More confirmation in this article from Jeff Goodman, who is the main college basketball writer for FoxSports.com. He's really good with his info, so I trust him more than the Freep article; Goodman was the guy that broke the Singler staying story, IIRC. Anyways, here's the link: http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/2010/05/10/heavy_hitting_big_ten-acc_challenge_matchups

For those that don't want to read the link, not all of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchups are set, but the big ones are as follows:
Michigan State at Duke
Purdue at Virginia Tech
Ohio State at Florida State
North Carolina at Illinois
NC State at Wisconsin

cleaning up drool over here. every game looks really good. i like this tradition.

happy this will be at cameron.

[Duvall]

cleaning up drool over here. every game looks really good.

Really? I see five blowouts. Maybe only four if Harrison Barnes is as good as he's supposed to be.

[ElSid]

I don't know how long it takes for an Achilles Heel injury to heal, but I'd guess Kalin Lucas will still be feeling some effects

Ruptured achilles treated with surgery take 6-9 mos. The injury happened at the end of the season, which is bad timing re: next season. He won't be the same guy when/if Duke plays them in the challenge.

[ElSid]

Really? I see five blowouts. Maybe only four if Harrison Barnes is as good as he's supposed to be.

Hmm.

Michigan State at Duke - Very good chance this is a #1/#2 match up. Won't say Duke is going to blow anyone out.

Purdue at Virginia Tech - Va Tech at home starting, what, 4 seniors? Purdue starting 3 seniors. This is going to be a tough game.

Ohio State at Florida State - Both teams lost a lot. Florida State at home.

North Carolina at Illinois - Rematch of a great title game. Illinois will be fired up. Decent chance at blow out, but what's not to drool at?

NC State at Wisconsin - Wisconsin is virtually impossible at home. Good chance of solid win by Wisconsin. Least drool worthy in terms of style of play. Wisconsin forcing ugly ball as usual.

Maybe it's that I've been deprived any college basketball to watch lately, but this all sounds good to me.

[airowe]

Ohio State at Florida State - Both teams lost a lot. Florida State at home.


Both of these lose a bit of talent, but they also add quite a bit. Ohio State has one of the nation's best recruiting classes highlighted by Jared Sullinger.

F$U brings in a point guard in Ian Miller who will likely have the ball in his hands from Day 1.

Unless these teams are having trouble assimilating their new talent, which Thad Matta rarely ever does, there should be some high level basketball being played.

[amat1129]

i'm loving the match-ups, although i would have enjoyed seeing unc go into Purdue and get manhandled, but i'm really excited for msu at cameron it will be one of the biggest non-conference home games in awhile

[Big Pappa]

Both of these lose a bit of talent, but they also add quite a bit. Ohio State has one of the nation's best recruiting classes highlighted by Jared Sullinger.

F$U brings in a point guard in Ian Miller who will likely have the ball in his hands from Day 1.

Unless these teams are having trouble assimilating their new talent, which Thad Matta rarely ever does, there should be some high level basketball being played.

Agreed, aside from the obvious, this should be the most fun to watch. The only way UNC and Illinois is close is if HB puts UNC on his back. With McCamey and Mike Davis back Illinois is gonna be legit.

[ice-9]

Hard to tell who'll come out on top for these match-ups.

Michigan State at Duke - Probably the easiest to pick. Go Duke!

Purdue at Virginia Tech - Tech gets home court advantage, but Purdue should be the better team. Remember this is basically the same Purdue team minus its best player who defeated a very good #5 seed in Texas A&M. And this is the same Virginia Tech team that didn't make the NCAA tournament. So I'd give the edge to Purdue, but this is gonna be a great game no doubt.

Ohio State at Florida State - Florida State is very tough at home but loses Alabi while Ohio State reloads with Jared Sullinger in the paint. I see Ohio State winning this one.

North Carolina at Illinois - Just how good will Harrison Barnes be? Since it's at Illinois, let's assume the Illini wins one for the Big 10.

NC State at Wisconsin - We lost to Wisconsin last year. Sure, the teams are different, but the Badgers are almost impossible to beat at home.

Big 10: 4, ACC: 1

Yikes...

[gw67]

It appears to me that the initially reported matchups reflect what some consider to be the pre-season top five teams in the ACC - Duke, Virginia Tech, UNC, N.C.State and Florida State. I will be particularly interested to see what Tech and the Wolfpack do in these matchups as well as the rest of the season given the high expectations for these two teams.

gw67

[CrazieDUMB]

Is anyone a little nervous about our non-conference home record? I know K is never going to shy away from an opponent, but it's pretty gutsy risking it all against a preseason final four favorite. I still think we'll win, but I'd be sad if the streak comes to an end.

[CDu]

Hard to tell who'll come out on top for these match-ups.

Michigan State at Duke - Probably the easiest to pick. Go Duke!

Purdue at Virginia Tech - Tech gets home court advantage, but Purdue should be the better team. Remember this is basically the same Purdue team minus its best player who defeated a very good #5 seed in Texas A&M. And this is the same Virginia Tech team that didn't make the NCAA tournament. So I'd give the edge to Purdue, but this is gonna be a great game no doubt.

Ohio State at Florida State - Florida State is very tough at home but loses Alabi while Ohio State reloads with Jared Sullinger in the paint. I see Ohio State winning this one.

North Carolina at Illinois - Just how good will Harrison Barnes be? Since it's at Illinois, let's assume the Illini wins one for the Big 10.

NC State at Wisconsin - We lost to Wisconsin last year. Sure, the teams are different, but the Badgers are almost impossible to beat at home.

Big 10: 4, ACC: 1

Yikes...

I'm inclined to agree with this take. I see us winning against MSU, but I see the Big-10 taking those other matchups. Purdue should be much better than Va Tech - more than enough to offset the home court advantage for Va Tech. And Wisconsin just has a knack for winning in Wisconsin. A team like NCSU (which struggles to win on the road and may not be fully-organized at that point) should struggle there. The swing games are Illinois/UNC and OSU/FSU. I think OSU brings better talent in and has more experience (though less top-end talent) returning. FSU doesn't bring in junk, but I don't expect them to win that one, even though it's at home.

[airowe]

Is anyone a little nervous about our non-conference home record? I know K is never going to shy away from an opponent, but it's pretty gutsy risking it all against a preseason final four favorite. I still think we'll win, but I'd be sad if the streak comes to an end.

Not nervous at all. We take all comers.

Like I noted in a few posts above, MSU will not be at full strength by the time we play them. The Streak Lives On!

[dukemsu]

Not nervous at all. We take all comers.

Like I noted in a few posts above, MSU will not be at full strength by the time we play them. The Streak Lives On!

This. State will prepare for this game starting today, but they will be a mess early in the season as Lucas recovers. Duke wins the game by 8-10 points, more if someone departs MSU.

Neutral court in April? Toss-up.

dukemsu

[roywhite]

The only bad thing I can see about these ACC/B10 matchups is they are more than 6 months away. :(

Should be some great games and a good barometer for the teams involved.

[gumbomoop]

Big 10: 4, ACC: 1

Yikes...

Sure hope ACC can take more than 1 of these top 5 games, for I think ACC will not have Miami in this year's Challenge, as they finished last in conf in '09-'10. Miami might well be our #6 finisher this year, and certainly wouldn't be bottom 2-3, so ACC will miss a possible Miami win. You'd have to think Big is favored to win the overall Challenge in December.

[flyingdutchdevil]

The only bad thing I can see about these ACC/B10 matchups is they are more than 6 months away. :(

Should be some great games and a good barometer for the teams involved.

I'm not too sure about that. Duke is a perfect example of that. We got spanked last year by a mediocre Wisconsin team (if Andre wasn't 4-4 from 3pt, the score wouldn't have been that close) and all the years that we didn't do so well in the tourney, we won the ACC / B10 challenge. 2004-2005 really sticks out - we crushed Michigan State and then they somehow beat us in the tourney. That one hurt.

I like the ACC / B10 tourney, but I refuse to take anything from it.

[Duvall]

Neutral court in April? Toss-up.


Based on what, exactly?

I mean, it's tough to predict how either team will be playing eleven months from now. But is there any reason to think that Michigan State will be substantially better than last year's top 25 team?

[ElSid]

I'm not too sure about that. Duke is a perfect example of that. We got spanked last year by a mediocre Wisconsin team (if Andre wasn't 4-4 from 3pt, the score wouldn't have been that close) and all the years that we didn't do so well in the tourney, we won the ACC / B10 challenge. 2004-2005 really sticks out - we crushed Michigan State and then they somehow beat us in the tourney. That one hurt.

I like the ACC / B10 tourney, but I refuse to take anything from it.

Yes and no. I think despite getting spanked most of the Wisco game, Andre going 4 for 4 from the triple line said something about the team that mattered later in the season. Andre could hit some big buckets. Slump aside, it was Andre's shooting that salvaged our first half against Baylor and helped us win an NC. Easy to dismiss the four point victory as a fluke score to a game that was much more lopsided. Can also look at it as an early indication that Andre would play some important minutes and make some big shots.

[dukemsu]

Based on what, exactly?

I mean, it's tough to predict how either team will be playing eleven months from now. But is there any reason to think that Michigan State will be substantially better than last year's top 25 team?

A fair point on predictions. Just having some fun looking ahead. But in a word:

Sure. Why? More experience at the guard spots and another year's development for Draymond Green. Theoretically, a healthy Delvon Roe vs. the Roe who played this past season on one leg. The addition of five-star shot-blocking center Adreian Payne on the frontline, which was MSU's biggest weakness. Duke will be a different and possibly better team as well, but I'd be very surprised if Michigan State isn't a better basketball team than the one they fielded this year. Obviously, if Lucas' Achilles doesn't heal, all bets are off.

dukemsu

[Nugget]

I think these matchups are great -- the top 5 ACC teams lined up against the top 5 Big 10 teams. Certainly things look dicey for ACC success, but that's only a function of the Big 10's being unusually loaded next year, with Mich St and Purdue pre-season top 5, Ohio St. likely in the top 10 and Wisconsin (unbeatable at home) and Illinois in the top 20, while the ACC will not be quite as strong.

If the ACC's top teams can't hold up their end, it isn't the fault of the schedule makers.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Yes and no. I think despite getting spanked most of the Wisco game, Andre going 4 for 4 from the triple line said something about the team that mattered later in the season. Andre could hit some big buckets. Slump aside, it was Andre's shooting that salvaged our first half against Baylor and helped us win an NC. Easy to dismiss the four point victory as a fluke score to a game that was much more lopsided. Can also look at it as an early indication that Andre would play some important minutes and make some big shots.

Certainly agree that there are elements in a November / December game that one can look forward to in March, but the overall play of the game cannot be used as a barometer, especially for March play.

That said, the games certainly are enjoyable.

[brlftz]

A fair point on predictions. Just having some fun looking ahead. But in a word:

Sure. Why? More experience at the guard spots and another year's development for Draymond Green. Theoretically, a healthy Delvon Roe vs. the Roe who played this past season on one leg. The addition of five-star shot-blocking center Adreian Payne on the frontline, which was MSU's biggest weakness. Duke will be a different and possibly better team as well, but I'd be very surprised if Michigan State isn't a better basketball team than the one they fielded this year. Obviously, if Lucas' Achilles doesn't heal, all bets are off.

dukemsu

completely agree. a healthy and deep msu looks monstrous, and between duke, msu, and purdue, it looks almost like a tossup for pre-season #1. in our giddiness over next year, i hope people don't overlook the fact that there are *3* potential powerhouses next year. should be a fun season.

[jimsumner]

Official press release from ACC

Monday, November 29th
Virginia @ Minnesota

Tuesday, November 30th
North Carolina @ Illinois
Ohio State @ Florida State
Michigan @ Clemson
Georgia Tech @ Northwestern
Iowa @ Wake Forest

Wednesday, December 1st
Michigan State @ Duke
Purdue @ Virginia Tech
North Carolina State @ Wisconsin
Indiana @ Boston College
Maryland @ Penn State

Game times and ESPN platform designations will be determined and announced at a later date.

[Duvall]

Game times and ESPN platform designations will be determined and announced at a later date.

Bold Prediction:

Tuesday, November 30th
North Carolina @ Illinois, 9 PM, ESPN

Wednesday, December 1st
Michigan State @ Duke, 9 PM, ESPN

Purdue @ VPI will probably be Wednesday's 7 PM ESPN game.

[airowe]

Wow. MSU in Cameron on the 1st and Oregon in Portland on the 4th. Do I have that right?

[Duvall]

Wow. MSU in Cameron on the 1st and Oregon in Portland on the 4th. Do I have that right?

As I recall, the Oregon game was tentatively set for Nov. 27. The Butler game is supposed to be on Dec. 4.

And that follows the CBE Classic on Nov. 22 and 23 against two of Kansas State, Gonzaga and Marquette. So we'll know pretty early on where this Duke team stands.

[jimsumner]

And yet, we'll be deluged with complaints that Duke doesn't play anyone.

[Welcome2DaSlopes]

In a 2 week stretch in Nov/Dec, we'll play Marquette, K-State or Zags, Oregon, Mich State, Butler w/ stops in KC, Oregon, Durham, NJ

[gumbomoop]

As I recall, the Oregon game was tentatively set for Nov. 27. The Butler game is supposed to be on Dec. 4.

And that follows the CBE Classic on Nov. 22 and 23 against two of Kansas State, Gonzaga and Marquette. So we'll know pretty early on where this Duke team stands.

Yes, my calendar says Butler, Sat. 12/4, Izod Center [NJ], 3:30 ESPN.

[Newton_14]

Certainly agree that there are elements in a November / December game that one can look forward to in March, but the overall play of the game cannot be used as a barometer, especially for March play.

That said, the games certainly are enjoyable.

But that was not the point roywhite was making. The Challenge or any other tough game early in the year, is a great barometer of where your team stands... at that point in the season. It shows how far the team needs to go to be strong in March. And I disagree that Wisc was mediocre. That was a solid team that almost never loses in that building. And we still had a chance to win with less than a minute to go. You can't dismiss what Andre did. He made the shots and brought us back. Much like the Baylor game...

[UrinalCake]

How come Wisconsin gets to play at home two years in a row?

[Eternal Outlaw]

How come Wisconsin gets to play at home two years in a row?

I think they have only played 4 home games to 6 road and 1 neutral (Milwaukee).