ACC-BIG TEN matchups

[Olympic Fan]

I'm hearing that the matchups for next season will be released later today.

I'm betting that Duke gets a trip to Wisconsin ... if not that, then Michigan State -- although MSU is -- like Duke -- due a road game this season.

BTW: The gossip is that Maryland has been promised a home game in this year's challenge. What ACC teams draws that clunker?

[Duvall]

I'm hearing that the matchups for next season will be released later today.

I'm betting that Duke gets a trip to Wisconsin ... if not that, then Michigan State -- although MSU is -- like Duke -- due a road game this season.

BTW: The gossip is that Maryland has been promised a home game in this year's challenge. What ACC teams draws that clunker?

Virginia. (http://college-basketball.si.com/2014/05/01/duke-wisconsin-syracuse-michigan-acc-big-ten-challenge-matchups/)

Duke at Wisconsin. UNC, in yet another scheduling break, hosts Iowa. Also Michigan will host Syracuse in the "Where's everybody gone?" game.

[Bob Green]

Duke at Wisconsin.

This makes me happy. A tough early season road game will be a solid indicator of how good the youngsters really are.

[MCFinARL]

This makes me happy. A tough early season road game will be a solid indicator of how good the youngsters really are.

Yes, and a good preparation for ACC road games later.

[Class of '94]

Virginia. (http://college-basketball.si.com/2014/05/01/duke-wisconsin-syracuse-michigan-acc-big-ten-challenge-matchups/)

Duke at Wisconsin. UNC, in yet another scheduling break, hosts Iowa. Also Michigan will host Syracuse in the "Where's everybody gone?" game.
I can't believe UVA has to play MD in College Park. Given the recent tensions between MD and the ACC, I was hoping MD would somehow not be playing in the Challenge this season. I know it wasn't going to happen; but still wished for it. I think it sucks for UVA that they will have to deal with all of the issues that come with playing MD in CP. I have to admit that its going to be weird for me to now see MD playing ACC teams as a BIG team.

[Olympic Fan]

Virginia. (http://college-basketball.si.com/2014/05/01/duke-wisconsin-syracuse-michigan-acc-big-ten-challenge-matchups/)

Duke at Wisconsin. UNC, in yet another scheduling break, hosts Iowa. Also Michigan will host Syracuse in the "Where's everybody gone?" game.

I wish you wouldn't go there. Last year, UNC -- picked third in ACC preseason polls -- was forced to play at Michigan State, the preseason Big Ten favorite. We were the one that got the break -- getting to play at home for the second straight year against a Michigan team that was picked second in the Big Ten (we were first).

The year before that, UNC got a home game against No. 1 Indiana.

Over the years, they have had some easy games -- and I think that if they did get Iowa (likely to be picked fourth in the Big Ten) at home, then this is one of them. But over the totality of the Challenge, I don't see UNC getting unusual breaks.

I'm all for jumping on their sham of a program for their crooked academics and their know-nothing fan base. But I'd rather keep our attacks to things that deserve it.

[BD80]

... I'm all for jumping on their sham of a program for their crooked academics and their know-nothing fan base. But I'd rather keep our attacks to things that deserve it.

carolina blue is really really ugly.

[Bluegrassdevil1]

1. Wisconsin may be the only team that truly starts from day one as a cohesive unit, so there is likely not going to be a tougher game for Duke all year.

2. The last time Duke played at Wisconsin, the team won a national championship, and I am all for that streak continuing.

3. I truly believe this is the best possible option for Duke, win or lose, because Wisconsin is going to be a great challenge, which cannot result of any true negatives for Duke. (save injuries of course)

[Duvall]

I wish you wouldn't go there. Last year, UNC -- picked third in ACC preseason polls -- was forced to play at Michigan State, the preseason Big Ten favorite. We were the one that got the break -- getting to play at home for the second straight year against a Michigan team that was picked second in the Big Ten (we were first).

The year before that, UNC got a home game against No. 1 Indiana.

Over the years, they have had some easy games -- and I think that if they did get Iowa (likely to be picked fourth in the Big Ten) at home, then this is one of them. But over the totality of the Challenge, I don't see UNC getting unusual breaks.

I'm all for jumping on their sham of a program for their crooked academics and their know-nothing fan base. But I'd rather keep our attacks to things that deserve it.

Over the history of the Challenge UNC has certainly had more than its share of tough games. I was just noting that UNC had caught a relatively soft opponent in a season when they were already getting a relatively soft conference schedule.

[-bdbd]

Washington Post and SI also reporting the Challenge sked...

www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/t...-ten-challenge/

UVA at MD (traveled for the two prior years). A release with the full matchups, including the dates, is expected for 4 p.m. According to SI.com, Wisconsin will host Duke, Michigan will host Syracuse, Louisville will host Ohio State, Indiana will host Pittsburgh and North Carolina will host Iowa.


Duke at Wisconsin sounds delicious. Two potential Final Four teams. I also love the Syracuse-Mich. match-up. And OSU at L'ville sounds very attractive (and likely an ACC win).

No doubt the very young Duke squad will lose some early-season marquee games, but will no doubt be much better in Feb. than in early-Dec...

[NSDukeFan]

Washington Post and SI also reporting the Challenge sked...

www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/t...-ten-challenge/

UVA at MD (traveled for the two prior years). A release with the full matchups, including the dates, is expected for 4 p.m. According to SI.com, Wisconsin will host Duke, Michigan will host Syracuse, Louisville will host Ohio State, Indiana will host Pittsburgh and North Carolina will host Iowa.


Duke at Wisconsin sounds delicious. Two potential Final Four teams. I also love the Syracuse-Mich. match-up. And OSU at L'ville sounds very attractive (and likely an ACC win).

No doubt the very young Duke squad will lose some early-season marquee games, but will no doubt be much better in Feb. than in early-Dec...
Since Maryland played in the Big Ten, or at least in their gyms for the challenge, the last two years, wouldn't it have been more fair to have them finally play at an ACC gym this year?

[Kedsy]

No doubt the very young Duke squad will lose some early-season marquee games, but will no doubt be much better in Feb. than in early-Dec...

I agree with you, but I would also note we said the same sort of things about the 2013-14 Duke team, so you never know.

[Bob Green]

Two potential Final Four teams.

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves. Wisconsin returns four starters off a Final Four team, while Duke losses three starters off a team that lost in the 1st Round. Having lost in the 1st Round two of the past three years plus having advanced to the Final Four only once in the past 10 years (2010), I'm certainly not willing to label us a "potential Final Four team" before seeing the team play a few games.

I'm very much in the wait and see mode right now.

[Kedsy]

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves. Wisconsin returns four starters off a Final Four team, while Duke losses three starters off a team that lost in the 1st Round. Having lost in the 1st Round two of the past three years plus having advanced to the Final Four only once in the past 10 years (2010), I'm certainly not willing to label us a "potential Final Four team" before seeing the team play a few games.

I'm very much in the wait and see mode right now.

Sigh. Wait and see mode is perfectly legitimate, but the suggestion that making the Final Four last year gives you a leg up on making the next Final Four is suspect. Even more suspect is the suggestion that losing in the first round one year makes you less likely to do well in the following tournament. Worst of all is the idea that a school's performance over a 10 year period (most of which was played with none of the team's existing players) has any bearing at all on the school's chances to make the next year's Final Four.

[jv001]

Sigh. Wait and see mode is perfectly legitimate, but the suggestion that making the Final Four last year gives you a leg up on making the next Final Four is suspect. Even more suspect is the suggestion that losing in the first round one year makes you less likely to do well in the following tournament. Worst of all is the idea that a school's performance over a 10 year period (most of which was played with none of the team's existing players) has any bearing at all on the school's chances to make the next year's Final Four.

But it can sure make you apprehensive regarding the next year's team :cool: GoDuke!

[gumbomoop]

Here it is.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/98783/ranking-the-accbig-ten-challenge-games

[Duvall]

The full set of 14 matchups: (http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/05/accbig-ten-challenge-expands-to-14-matchups-this-december/)

Mon, Dec 1

Nebraska at Florida State
Rutgers at Clemson

Tue, Dec 2

No. 21 Syracuse at No. 24 Michigan
Ohio State at No. 8 Louisville
Pittsburgh at Indiana
NC State at Purdue
Illinois at Miami (Fla.)
Minnesota at Wake Forest

Wed, Dec 3

No. 2 Duke at No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 18 Michigan State at Notre Dame
No. 25 Iowa at No. 6 North Carolina
No. 7 Virginia at Maryland
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State

Looks like another draw from here.

[gocanes0506]

hope UVA smacks Maryland. The Nebraska vs FSU game is an intriguing matchup that doesnt involve a ranked team.

[English]

The full set of 14 matchups: (http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/05/accbig-ten-challenge-expands-to-14-matchups-this-december/)

Wed, Dec 3

No. 2 Duke at No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 18 Michigan State at Notre Dame
No. 25 Iowa at No. 6 North Carolina
No. 7 Virginia at Maryland
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State

Looks like another draw from here.

Is this the first time that Duke and unc have played on the same day in the Challenge? I can only recall, when the Challenge was split between two days and presumably to draw viewers to both days, the two headlined different days.

[Class of '94]

Is this the first time that Duke and unc have played on the same day in the Challenge? I can only recall, when the Challenge was split between two days and presumably to draw viewers to both days, the two headlined different days.
I saw that too. Wednesday is stacked with very good games and match-ups imo. I'm surprised that didn't put the UNC and Duke games on different days like they usually do; but I guess with realignment, espn decided that they have enough quality matchups now that they don't have to make both games the marquee games of each night. For the first time in a while, I'm actually looking forward to watching all of these games. Thank-you DVR....

[brevity]

Wed, Dec 3

No. 2 Duke at No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 18 Michigan State at Notre Dame
No. 25 Iowa at No. 6 North Carolina
No. 7 Virginia at Maryland
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State


Is this the first time that Duke and unc have played on the same day in the Challenge? I can only recall, when the Challenge was split between two days and presumably to draw viewers to both days, the two headlined different days.

This is a pretty glaring mistake. Will Iowa-UNC even be televised? Everyone is going to watch Chris Collins in the 7pm game, and then Duke at 9pm, right?

[MCFinARL]

The full set of 14 matchups: (http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/05/accbig-ten-challenge-expands-to-14-matchups-this-december/)

Mon, Dec 1

Nebraska at Florida State
Rutgers at Clemson

Tue, Dec 2

No. 21 Syracuse at No. 24 Michigan
Ohio State at No. 8 Louisville
Pittsburgh at Indiana
NC State at Purdue
Illinois at Miami (Fla.)
Minnesota at Wake Forest

Wed, Dec 3

No. 2 Duke at No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 18 Michigan State at Notre Dame
No. 25 Iowa at No. 6 North Carolina
No. 7 Virginia at Maryland
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State

Looks like another draw from here.

So BC is the team that sits out, even though Virginia Tech had a worse conference record? Is that because the Hokies had a slightly better record overall? Or is there some other way they decide?

[uh_no]

So BC is the team that sits out, even though Virginia Tech had a worse conference record? Is that because the Hokies had a slightly better record overall? Or is there some other way they decide?

or because nobody actually cares about BC basketball?

the matchups are 100% ratings....and ever since BC joined the ACC they've been the odd duck, both in performance, and draw....BC games at cameron were very liberally labeled sellouts....

[ice-9]

The full set of 14 matchups: (http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/05/accbig-ten-challenge-expands-to-14-matchups-this-december/)

Mon, Dec 1

Nebraska at Florida State
Rutgers at Clemson

Tue, Dec 2

No. 21 Syracuse at No. 24 Michigan
Ohio State at No. 8 Louisville
Pittsburgh at Indiana
NC State at Purdue
Illinois at Miami (Fla.)
Minnesota at Wake Forest

Wed, Dec 3

No. 2 Duke at No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 18 Michigan State at Notre Dame
No. 25 Iowa at No. 6 North Carolina
No. 7 Virginia at Maryland
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State

Looks like another draw from here.


I've got Michigan, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Miami, Minnesota, Michigan St, UNC, UVA, Northwestern, Penn St and....Wisconsin. I have faith we'll live up to our preseason ranking by the end of the season, but I expect we won't start as a powerful team due to our relative inexperience. That plus the hostile road environment, and it'd be a leap to project a Duke win.

So that'd be Big 10 winning at 7-5. Hope I'm wrong! It might come down to the Hokies, who I expect to be improved from last year.

[kAzE]

Bleh . . . I'm all for a tough non conference schedule but playing a veteran Wisconsin team on the road this early with probably 3 freshman rotation players does not sound like a very winnable game. I love our team's potential, but this is a pretty rough test very early on.

[pfrduke]

I've got Michigan, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Miami, Minnesota, Michigan St, UNC, UVA, Northwestern, Penn St and....Wisconsin. I have faith we'll live up to our preseason ranking by the end of the season, but I expect we won't start as a powerful team due to our relative inexperience. That plus the hostile road environment, and it'd be a leap to project a Duke win.

So that'd be Big 10 winning at 7-5. Hope I'm wrong! It might come down to the Hokies, who I expect to be improved from last year.

You're leaving out the first 2 games.

[Duvall]

I've got Michigan, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Miami, Minnesota, Michigan St, UNC, UVA, Northwestern, Penn St and....Wisconsin. I have faith we'll live up to our preseason ranking by the end of the season, but I expect we won't start as a powerful team due to our relative inexperience. That plus the hostile road environment, and it'd be a leap to project a Duke win.

So that'd be Big 10 winning at 7-5. Hope I'm wrong! It might come down to the Hokies, who I expect to be improved from last year.

Those would be my picks with Florida State and Clemson favored in the Monday games. A third straight draw?

[ice-9]

Those would be my picks with Florida State and Clemson favored in the Monday games. A third straight draw?

Oops! Had a brain fart and totally forgot about the first two games. Yes, agree with Clemson and Florida St. So 7-7 draw!