Big Ten-ACC Challenge in Full Swing
Every year about this time we are treated to a really fun event called the Big Ten ACC Challenge. It is a contest between the two premier conferences in college basketball, the Big Ten and the ACC. With all the conference realignment in recent years some of the participants have changed. Heck, next season the Maryland Terrapins will be on the Big Ten’s side playing a team they’ve played 100 times, unless they draw the Pittsburgh Panthers or Louisville Cardinals.
But this year’s Challenge still has some pretty interesting matchups even with the new faces. Take Tuesday night’s game for example. We had a rematch of one of the greatest games in NCAA Final Four history between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Syracuse Orange. It was the Orange’s first time in the Challenge since coming to the ACC from the Big East. ‘Cuse ran their record to 8-0 after a rather easy 69-52 win. Tyler Ennis led the Orange with 17 points.
Also, the Duke Blue Devils got a big win for the ACC over the Michigan Wolverines in a rematch of another NCAA championship game. The Blue Devils won 79-69 over last season’s NCAA runner-up. Quinn Cook scored 24 points and Duke played perhaps its best defensive game so far this season as they improved to 7-2.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gave the ACC another win over the Illinois Illini 67-64. The loss was the first of the season for Illinois who dropped to 7-1 while the Yellow Jackets improved to 6-3. Tech rallied from a 12 point deficit to win with Robert Carter scoring 21 points.
In a matchup of old gridiron foes who rarely meet anymore, the Pitt Panthers beat the Penn State Nittany Lions 78-69. The win gave the ACC four wins on the night over the Big Ten as Pitt ran their record to 8-0.
The Big Ten got a couple pf wins as the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 98-93. Iowa was led by Aaron White with 20 points as they improved to 7-1 while the Irish dipped to 5-2.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers got a win over the Florida State Seminoles 71-61 to give the Big Ten two wins over the ACC on the night. The Gophers were led by Andre Hollins with 21 points as they improved to 7-2 on the season.
Wagerweb has the odds on tonight’s Big vs ACC games:
Maryland at Ohio State– The Terps are +10.5 -110 and the Buckeyes are -10.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Maryland +470 and Ohio State -650. We will take Ohio State +10.5 in this one.
Wisconsin at Virginia– The Badgers are +4 -110 and the Cavaliers are -4 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Wisconsin +160 and Virginia -190. We like Wisconsin +4.5 -110 in this one. In fact, we like the Badgers +160 to win.
Northwestern at NC State– Northwestern is +9.5 -110 and NC State is -9.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Northwestern +420 and NC State -550. We like NC State -9.5 -110.
North Carolina at Michigan State- North Carolina is +9.5 -110 and Michigan State is -9.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is UNC +420 and the Spartans -550. We like UNC +9.5 -110 and we even think it would be smart to put a small wager on the Heels +420.
Boston College at Purdue- BC is +4.5 -110 and Purdue is -4.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Purdue -190 and BC +160. We are going to go with Purdue -4.5 -110 here.
Miami at Nebraska– The ‘Canes are +4.5 -110 and the Huskers are -4.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Miami +160 and Nebraska -190. Is Miami really that bad? Yes they are. Take Nebraska -4.5 -110.
