2015 ACC-Big Ten Challenge Schedule Announced

This afternoon college basketball fans got some great news. The schedule for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge was announced. The Big Ten was triumphant last season after taking the series 8-6. The ACC leads the Big Ten 10-4-2 all-time though. This year’s event looks to be even better than last season. Here are the biggest games in the 2015 ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Maryland at North Carolina- This will be the best matchup in the series. This could be a potential showdown with the top two teams in the country. Maryland brings in McDonald All-American center Diamond Stone and former Duke guard Rasheed Sulamon. Stud guard Melo Trimble and forward Jake Layman also return for the Terrapins. Maryland will be a likely top 5 team heading into this game. The North Carolina Tar Heels are ranked as the top team in the preseason by most polls. They return every rotation player except for J.P Tokoto. Marcus Paige looks to be one of the best guards in the country and Brice Johnson could be one of the best forwards in the ACC.

Prediction- North Carolina 80, Maryland 74

Indiana at Duke- The defending national champions will welcome the Hoosiers to Cameron Indoor. Duke lost four starters from their title team but reloaded in a big way. They added multiple 5-star recruits including Derryck Thornton, Chase Jeter, Luke Kennard, and Brandon Ingram. It also helps that Matt Jones, Grayson Allen, and Amile Jefferson return to be the veteran leaders. The Hoosiers got a big boost this off-season with the signing of McDonald’s All-American center Thomas Bryant. It helped that star guard Yogi Ferrell decided to return. Indiana will be one of the greatest offensive teams in the past couple of seasons this year.

Prediction- Duke 86, Indiana 82

Louisville at Michigan State- The Cardinals get their Elite 8 rematch when they travel to Spartan country. Louisville lost their top 4 scorers from last season but signed the top transfer in the country Damion Lee. He joins Cleveland State transfer Trey Lewis and two 5-star recruits in Donovan Mitchell and Deng Adel. Trust Rick Pitino to have his players ready for this one. The Spartans return many key players from their Final Four team. Star player Denzel Valentine looks to be a key factor and adding West Virginia transfer Eron Harris shouldn’t hurt. This would’ve been a better game for the Spartans if 5-star forward Caleb Swanigan didn’t decommit. Tom Izzo is one of the top coaches in the country and will have his home crowd rocking for this game.

Prediction- Michigan State 72, Louisville 67

Wisconsin at Syracuse- The Orange return stud guard Trevor Cooney and a very solid rotation of players. Despite losing Rakeem Christmas and Chris McCullough, they will be a decent team. Jim Boeheim will have this team hungry to pull off a big time victory. They even have one of the deepest backcourts in the country. Wisconsin lost Frank the tank and Sam Dekker but return Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig. They will be a very good team but will be playing a great defensive squad in Syracuse. The Badgers will have to get production from a bunch of new guys. This is a game that both teams will have to prove a lot in to pull out a victory.

Prediction- Syracuse 76, Wisconsin 75

Virginia at Ohio State- This game can either be very lopsided or be a close contest. Virginia looks like a top 10 team with All-American Malcolm Brogdon returning with Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey. They return mainly every rotation player except for Justin Anderson. Tony Bennett will have this team a defensive juggernaut again. The Buckeyes lost a lot from last season including All-American D’Angelo Russell. It didn’t help that they lost Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott as well. But they return Jae’Sean Tate and Marc Loving. They also landed a solid recruiting class headlined by Austin Grandstaff and Daniel Giddens.

Prediction- Virginia 68, Ohio State 59

Full Schedule of Games:

November 30th

Clemson at Minnesota

Wake Forest at Rutgers

December 1st

Maryland at North Carolina

Virginia at Ohio State

Michigan at NC State

Purdue at Pittsburgh

Northwestern at Virginia Tech

Miami (FL) at Nebraska