The ACC/ Big 10 challenge for the 2021-22 season has officially been set. Per the ACC, below are the anticipated matchups.
The Matchups
- Ohio State vs Duke
- UNC vs. Michigan
- Syracuse vs. Indiana
- N.C. State vs. Nebraska
- Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota
- Wake Forest vs. Northwestern
- Georgia tech vs. Wisconsin
- Virginia vs. Iowa
- Michigan State vs. Louisville
- Penn State vs. Miami
- Maryland vs Virginia Tech
- Rutgers vs. Clemson
- Illinois vs. Notre Dame
- Purdue vs. Florida State
*** Due to conference balancing issues with the Big Ten having 14 teams and the ACC having 15 teams, Boston College is the odd team left out. They finished in last place (2-11) a season ago.
The Blue-Bloods
The most intriguing matchup will be held at the Dean Smith Center where new Tar Heel head coach Hubert Davis enters his first ACC/Big10 challenge as the alpha dog in a potential top-10 matchup against a Juwan Howard led Michigan team that finished first in their conference last season. Both teams return key players and are expected to make deep runs heading into tourney play. A battle to watch out for; Caleb Houstan vs Leaky Black.
For Coach K’s farewell tour, Duke will head to Ohio State in another potential top 10 battle. The Blue Devils look to rebound from last years loss inside Cameron Indoor to the fighting Illini of Illinois, 83-68. Duke revamped its roster, as well added several 5-stars, but none more vital than potential number 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Paolo Banchero. Ohio State’s Duane Washington is slated to make a decision whether to return to school or stay in the NBA draft. If Washington returns to school, the Buckeyes could enter the matchup versus Duke as the number 1 team in the country.
Wolfpack Hosts Nebraska
The NC State men’s basketball team will host Nebraska in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, the league announced on Monday. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 1. Tip-time and broadcast information will be released later.
The match-up will be the first all-time between the two programs. Under third-year Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska returns four starters and five of its top six scorers from last season.