ACC/Big Ten Challenge: ACC Looks For Old Dominance

The Big Ten looks to win their third consecutive “Commissioner’s Cup” trophy over the ACC.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is here, kicking off Monday night and going through Wednesday. There will be 14 games played, with each conference getting seven home games. The “Commissioner’s Cup” trophy will be awarded to the conference with the best record during the three day span.

It will be the 18th time that the conferences have held the event, with the ACC currently leading the all-time series 10-5-2.

Despite leading the series, the ACC hasn’t won the showcase in any of the past seven years.

Starting in 1999, the ACC won the first 10 challenges ever played. Then in 2009, the Big Ten finally secured their first “Commissioner’s Cup” trophy with a 6-5 triumph. Over the following six years, the Big Ten won four times, with the remaining two years ending in ties.

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Since acquiring Maryland and Rutgers in 2014, the Big Ten has won both challenges.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge will appear on the ESPN family of networks. Games will be played during the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time slots.

How’s the Big Ten Look So Far in 2016-17?

So far, the Big Ten has been better than expected in the bottom half of their conference.

Who would have thought that Minnesota and Rutgers would be undefeated six games into the season? Not too many people. Starting 6-0 is quite the accomplishment, especially considering Minnesota won eight games all of last year and Rutgers only won seven.

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According to NJ.com, Rutgers played with only seven scholarship players for the majority of last season. This year’s team has depth, both in the front court and on the wings.

With talent around him, future NBA guard Corey Sanders has been able to facilitate more and shoot less. Sanders is averaging a full assist per game more than last year and almost four fewer shots per game.

Rutgers has a chance to end their season with a .500 record. That would be a major step forward for an athletic department that’s desperate to feel worthy in the Big Ten.

I might be crazy, but Minnesota looks like a contender. Is it possible for a team coming off an 8-23 season to actually be good?

Well, nowadays it’s possible if you can snag a top notch “one and done” recruit. That’s exactly what Richard Pitino did when he got hometown freshman Amir Coffey. The newcomer is averaging almost 16 points a game, including 30 against St. John’s.

Minnesota looks very good; the ACC/Big Ten Challenge will be a great national showcase for them.

There are two other undefeated teams in the Big Ten, Maryland and Ohio State.

Led by superstar Melo Trimble, Maryland has a conference best 7-0 record. The junior guard declared for the NBA Draft after last season, but eventually decided to return to College Park.

With so much talent gone from last year’s team, Maryland has had to re-tool their offense. Trimble has taken on a much bigger role, leading the team in scoring (21.1) and shots attempted (12.7).

Freshmen Justin Jackson and Anthony Cowan are both playing more than 28 minutes a game and averaging double figures.

Next: Can Northwestern make the Big Dance?

Thad Matta came into this season with a head coach’s dream scenario. All six of his leading scorers from last year were coming back. So far, it has been a dream. The Buckeyes are a perfect 6-0 heading into the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Zero teams from the Big Ten have losing records heading into Monday’s action.

2016 ACC/Big Ten Challenge: TV Schedule & Predictions

Monday, Nov. 28

Minnesota (6-0) at No. 25 Florida State (5-1)

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Donald L. Tucker Center
Winning Prediction: Minnesota

Wake Forest (5-1) at Northwestern (4-2)

Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Welsh-Ryan Arena
Winning Prediction: Northwestern

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Pittsburgh (5-1) at Maryland (7-0)

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN2
Venue: XFINITY Center
Winning Prediction: Pittsburgh

Georgia Tech (4-1) at Penn State (4-3)

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
Winning Prediction: Penn State

No. 18 Syracuse (4-1) at No. 16 Wisconsin (5-2)

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN
Venue: Kohl Center
Winning Prediction: Syracuse

Iowa (3-3) at Notre Dame (6-0)

Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN2
Venue: Purcell Pavillion
Winning Prediction: Notre Dame

NC State (5-1) at Illinois (4-3)

Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: State Farm Center
Winning Prediction: NC State

No. 24 Michigan State (4-3) at No. 6 Duke (6-1)

Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN
Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium
Winning Prediction: Michigan State

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Rutgers (6-0) at Miami (4-2)

Time: 7:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Watsco Center
Winning Prediction: Rutgers

Virginia Tech (5-1) at No. 25 Michigan (5-1)

Time: 7:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN2
Venue: Crisler Center
Winning Prediction: Michigan

No. 17 Purdue (5-1) at No. 10 Louisville (5-1)

Time: 7:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN
Venue: KFC Yum! Center
Winning Prediction: Louisville

Nebraska (4-2) at Clemson (3-2)

Time: 9:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Littlejohn Coliseum
Winning Prediction: Nebraska

No. 4 North Carolina (7-0) at No. 3 Indiana (4-1)

Time: 9:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN
Venue: Assembly Hall
Winning Prediction: Indiana

Ohio State (6-0) at No. 7 Virginia (6-0)

Time: 9:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Venue: John Paul Jones Arena
Winning Prediction: Virginia

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