The B1G/ACC Challenge is marketed by the “mother ship” (ESPN) as a battle for bragging rights between two power leagues, but in truth its most important aspect is the opportunity for individual teams to build and/or add to their NCAA Tournament resumes. After losing the first 10 challenges, the B1G has won the last two, but the thing I’m most interested in seeing is which of the “non shoo-in” NCAA teams will step forward. … most notably the likes of Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska and Northwestern of the B1G, and the likes of Miami, NC State, Virginia and Virginia Tech from the ACC.
Here’s a capsule look at Day 1 of the Challenge. My crystal ball sees a good start for Jim Delany’s guys, but at least four of tonight’s games should be pretty tight.
Game 1: Michigan (4-1) @ Virginia (5-1)
Time/Network: 6 p.m./ESPN2
The Line: Virginia -2
RPI: Virginia #81, Michigan #87
Best Wins: Virginia (beat Drexel 49-35), Michigan (beat Memphis 73-61)
The Call: Wolverines 70-63 — Freshman PG Trey Burke has stepped in nicely to the role of departed Darius Morris. He, Tim Hardaway Jr. & Zack Novak will be the difference-makers in Charlottesville.
The Tally: B1G 1, ACC 0
Game 2: Northwestern (5-0) @ Georgia Tech (4-2)
Time/Network: 6:15 p.m./ESPNU
The Line: Northwestern -1
RPI: Northwestern #15, Georgia Tech #215
Best Wins: Northwestern (beat Seton Hall 80-73), Georgia Tech (beat VCU 73-60)
The Call: Wildcats 72-68 — After losing their Juice, it looks like NU’s Drew Crawford is comfortable playing Robin to John Shurna’s Batman. They form one of the B1G’s most lethal offensive tandems, and they’ll be too much for the rebuilding Yellow Jackets.
The Tally: B1G 2, ACC 0
Game 3: Illinois (6-0) @ Maryland (3-2)
Time/Network: 6:30 p.m./ESPN
The Line: Illinois -3.5
RPI: Illinois #80, Maryland #131
Best Wins: Illinois (beat Richmond 70-61), Maryland (beat Colorado 78-71)
The Call: Fighting Illini 73-65 — A hunch says this will be one of the uglier matchups, but on-the-rise big man Meyers Leonard (12.3 ppg, 3.2 bpg) gives the Illini the edge.
The Tally: B1G 3, ACC 0
Game 4: Miami (4-1) @ Purdue (6-1)
Time/Network: 8 p.m./ESPN2
The Line: Purdue -8.5
RPI: Purdue #84, Miami #85
Best Wins: Purdue (beat Iona 91-90), Miami (beat Rutgers 72-57)
The Call: Boilermakers 79-67 — The Boilers have been potent on offense, scoring 80 points or more in 4 of their first 6 games. Look for SG Ryne Smith (12.6 ppg, 52% on 3’s) to light up the Hurricanes.
The Tally: B1G 4, ACC 0
Game 5: Clemson (3-2) @ Iowa (4-2)
Time/Network: 8:15 p.m./ESPNU
The Line: pick ’em
RPI: Clemson #173, Iowa #196
Best Wins: Clemson (beat Gardner-Webb 65-44), Iowa (beat North Carolina A&T 95-79)
The Call: Tigers 80-65 — Both squads had moderate expectations heading into the season, but nevertheless they’ve been disappointments early on. Both lost home games vs. Big South squads, the Tigers to Coastal Carolina, the Hawkeyes to Campbell. Tigers forward Devin Booker will provide the difference on the offensive boards.
The Tally: B1G 4, ACC 1
Game 6: Duke (7-0) @ Ohio State (6-0)
Time/Network: 8:30 p.m./ESPN
The Line: Ohio State -5.5
RPI: Duke #1, Ohio State #31
Best Wins: Duke (beat Kansas 68-61), Ohio State (beat Florida 81-74)
The Call: Blue Devils 85-79 — Billed as the best matchup of the Challenge, this one will live up to the hype. It says here the Plumlee brothers will do enough to bang & slow down Jared Sullinger, while the experienced Blue Devils will hurt the Buckeyes with their bevy of 3-point marksmen (Curry, Dawkins, Kelly, Rivers).
The Tally: B1G 4, ACC 2
Wednesday: Day 2 of the B1G/ACC Challenge — In their first game of the post-Mbakwe era, can the Gophers (hopefully with a lot of support from their fans) buckle up their boot straps & rise up to beat a quality opponent in Virginia Tech? And will the B1G retain its bragging rights? Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.