I was a little lean on content last week with the holiday and all that folks, but will be on it until Christmas. This week marks the Big Ten – ACC Challenge. For many teams it will be their first big test of the year and can show if they will be competitive in the league or not. For others it can be a resume builder come March. Lastly for the select few, i.e. Wisconsin and Duke, it will just be a damn good show.
Game of the Week
Wisconsin vs Duke
The top 5 teams have a lot of talent orbiting their two big man rocks in Frank Kaminiski and Jahlil Okafor. Obviously both are locks for March and if their seasons go as expected, both could be one-seeds even with a loss in this one. This one will just be pure entertainment value. Both will gain valuable lessons on how to deal with top-end talent come league play and March when they face the likes of MSU, OSU, Virginia, North Carolina and once in the tournament a team like Kentucky.
9:30 / 8:30, ESPN / WatchESPN app
Monday Slate
Best Game: Nebraska at Florida State, 7 / 6, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – Huskers enter 4-1 but their one game away from Lincoln (at Rhode Island) was the loss. FSU is 3-3 but has won two straight after a disastrous showing in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic. Leonard Hamilton is a proven winner and always has FSU competitive, especially at home. For the sleeper Cornhuskers, they need to figure out how to win on the road.
Rutgers at Clemson, 7 / 6, ESPNU / WatchESPN app – Rutgers was embarrassed last time out being held to just 26 points. It wasn’t like they were setting any scoring records before that game though. Their season high is just 76. Feels like a tall order for the Knights to pull this off in their road debut.
Tuesday Schedule
Best Game: Illinois at Miami, 9 / 8, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – I realize there are higher ranked teams playing and bigger stars elsewhere but I love this match-up. The teams are a combined 13 and oh. The Illini are coming off an impressive showing against Baylor in the Las Vegas Invitational title game. The Canes meanwhile have been shooting a blistering 50.4% en route to their hot start that boasts a win over Florida. Both teams are sleepers in their leagues but still have a lot of unknowns about them. This could go a long way at determining which is the real deal.
Indiana vs Pittsburgh, 7 / 6, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – Despite the stunning loss to Eastern Washington, the Hoosiers are 5-1 with a nice win over AAC darling SMU. Pitt is 4-2 but had a little bit of a strange trip out to island for the Maui Invitational. They were smoked by SDSU one night only to return the favor to Kansas State the following night. Jamie Dixon’s teams are always well coached and are a lock to win 20 games a year under him. Regardless of what pieces he has, the Panthers are always a tough out. This will be a good game for the Hoosiers.
Michigan vs Syracuse, 7:30 / 6:30, ESPN / WatchESPN app – Each team is 5-1 but the Wolverines have looked a tad better this year than the Orange and are already 4-0 at home. UM’s lone loss was a 5 point tight affair versus #12 Villanova. The ‘Cuse were dropped by Cal in the 2K classic and nearly coughed up the Iowa game. The best way to beat Syracuse’s mighty 2-3 zone is to shoot over it and we know John Beiline will always have shooters. Should be a fun one.
Minnesota at Wake Forest, 7 / 6, ESPNU / WatchESPN app – Gophers are 4-2 but their two losses are against top-10 Louisville and AAC hopeful St. John’s. WF is less impressive at 3-3 with no good wins but one spectacular loss to Delaware State. Gophers are the better team and need to prove it with a dominating performance to get back on track in 2014.
Ohio State at Louisville, 9:30 / 8:30, ESPN / WatchESPN app – Top 15 teams do battle but the Bucks have not been tested much this season outside a game versus Marquette. UL’s defense has been savage at 7th in steals and 3rd in scoring defense surrendering just 46.6 per. UL is also the best team on the glass this year. Hard to see OSU winning on the road against such a hot team but this will be a good test to get Thad Matta’s squad league-ready.
Purdue vs NC State, 9 / 8, ESPNU / WatchESPN app – NC State is 6-0 but outside the Boise State (?) game they haven’t played anybody. They also haven’t hit the road yet. Purdue meanwhile is a pleasant surprise early with a 5-1 mark. They dropped a game in Maui to Kansas State but bounced back for a 20 point win against Missouri their next time out.
Wednesday Docket
Best Game: Wisconsin vs Duke (See Above)
Iowa at North Carolina, 7:30 / 6:30, ESPN / WatchESPN app – UNC has been dominate in their 5-1 start outside the stunning loss in the Bahamas to Butler. Iowa is 5-2 but haven’t faced as many good teams nor has looked as impressive. In their last game against top-15 ranked team, Texas, they got steamrolled. Need to see improvement from this squad ASAP.
Maryland vs Virginia, 9:15 / 8:15, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – The former conference rivals do battle in a different setting. UVA is the defending ACC champ and picked up right where they left off and sit 7th in the nation. Not much was expected of the Terps this year but they shot out of the gate 7-0 with a win over Iowa State. They are currently 21st in the nation thanks to the hot start.
Michigan State at Notre Dame, 7:15 / 6:15, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – MSU dropped a game to Duke by 10 and Kansas by 5. No shame in either but it is a pattern. The Irish aren’t ranked but are 6-1 and a tough team to face in South Bend. Melodramatic to call this a must win but you know Izzo wants to get a big boy win before league play. The Irish are 6-1 thanks to being the number-one shooting percentage team in the nation. Izzo preaches defense so the old cliche about ‘something’s gotta give’ comes to mind.
Northwestern vs Georgia Tech, 9:15 / 8:15, ESPNU / WatchESPN app – Each are 5-1 but there is still a wait-and-see feel for both clubs. Tech’s lone loss was a 2-point decision against Marquette. NU’s is less impressive, getting blasted in a 19 point hole, 42 point performance against Northern Iowa. No shame in dropping that game to UNI but the way they did it? Yikes.
Penn State vs Virginia Tech, 7:15 / 6:15, ESPNU / WatchESPN app – Virginia Tech has had some speed bumps in Buzz William’s first year and are 4-2. PSU meanwhile is battling with Purdue for best story to start the year at 6-1 but their wins are tight. Their last 4 wins have been by 17 combined points.
Thursday – No Games
Friday Lineup
Minnesota vs Western Carolina, 7 / 6, ESPN3 – WCU lost to Mississippi State by ten points. I think that sums up how this will go against the talented Gophers.
Saturday Rundown
Best Game: Northwestern at Butler, 4:30 / 3:30, FOX – If NU can take down Ga Tech on Wednesday they will be 6-1. Butler should also be 6-1 (Indiana State earlier in the week) but has wins over Georgetown and North Carolina. They are nationally ranked and if the Wildcats are as real as their record makes them out to be, they will be competitive in Indy.
Illinois vs American, 2 / 1, ESPN3 – American is 4-2 and played Temple tight but I don’t see how the red-hot Illini drop this one.
Indiana vs Savannah State, 7:30 / 6:30, BTN – Tigers are 2-4, winless on the road and was held to just 26 points by Louisville. Doubt Indiana will do that, but this one won’t be competitive.
Iowa vs UMBC, 1 / 12, No TV – The Retrievers are winless to start the year, including an 18 point drubbing by Minnesota. Impossible to see Iowa blowing this cupcake.
Maryland vs Winthrop, 2 / 1, ESPN3 – Winthrop upset Clemson earlier this year but struggling since to a 2-2 mark. Terps will enjoy this step down in talent after that massive tilt against the Cavaliers.
Michigan vs N.J.I.T, 12 / 11, BTN – Should be a soft landing after facing an always physical Syracuse team.
Michigan State vs Arkansas Pine Bluff, 2:15 / 1:15, BTN – A team named Pine Bluff should be a softy. They are living up to expectations with a 1-5 mark so far.
Ohio State vs Colgate, 4:30 / 3:30, BTN – Speaking of 1-5, that is where Colgate sits.
Penn State at Marshall, 6 / 5, CBSSN – I like this game for PSU. They are 6-1 but have only one true road trip under their belt. Marshall isn’t a total crap fest either at 3-3. Good learning experience for the Nittany Lions.
Purdue vs North Florida, 2 / 1, No TV – Osprey have lost to both power league teams they have faced this year (South Carolina and Northwestern) and dropped one to a solid mid-major program UNI for good measure. Should be a cakewalk.
Rutgers at Seton Hall, 12 / 11, No TV – Pirates should be 6-0 when they host their former Big East rival. Sterling Gibbs is averaging 19.8 a night and killing it from beyond the arc going 13/22 for 59.1% so far. Unless something changes for the Knights, a 0-2 week looks likely.
Wisconsin at Marquette, 12:30 / 11:30, CBS – This is always a fun rivalry but Marquette has a new coach and is taking their lumps like you would expect. They have already dropped games to ranked Big Ten foes Ohio State and Michigan State. If UW loses to Duke they will be good and pissed and happy to take it out on their in-state rival.
Sunday Throwdowns
Nebraska vs Creighton, 7 / 6, BTN – What a way to end the week with two strong teams, each with good shots at making the NCAA tournament and bitter rivals to boot. Jays are a bit more impressive thanks to that Oklahoma win but both are stout.
Big Ten and Counting 