The non-conference portion of the college basketball season provides a bit of everything. There are anticipated showcase games, Thanksgiving tournaments and cross-conference matchups whose outcomes can cause fanbases to either get irrationally high or low.
For a third and final night, the ACC and Big Ten conferences will collide for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The ACC is currently winning the battle five games to three, and Wednesday’s six cross-conference matchups will provide a final score.
On the final day of the 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge, here’s a preview, prediction and the odds for each of the remaining games.
Enjoy!
All odds courtesy of BetMGM.
No. 5 Purdue vs. Florida State
Florida State is quite possibly one of the worst defenses in the ACC. The Seminoles’ inability to defend without fouling or keep teams off of the offensive glass are not the kinds of problems you want to have when Zach Edey and the Boilermakers come around. It’s already going to be tough to score points against Purdue (59.5 ppg to opponents), so FSU will need to limit Purdue’s extra chances as much as possible.
Prediction: Purdue ML
This won’t be a Baylor-Marquette situation where a ranked team hits the road and doesn’t show up. Purdue is too good and Florida State won’t have an answer for Zach Edey.
Game Lines
No. 25 Ohio State vs. No. 17 Duke
With this matchup, we have two teams that have already played a heck of a schedule — one that has challenged them supremely. Ohio State’s lone defeat came at the hands of San Diego State and Duke’s to Purdue and Kansas. Surely, there is nothing wrong with losing to opponents of that caliber, and today, unfortunately, one of these two teams will suffer another tough defeat.
Who will rise to the occasion?
Prediction: Ohio State ML
Duke hasn’t yet been everything it was cracked up to be during the preseason, and I don’t expect it to happen today. The Blue Devils have come up short against good teams, meaning Ohio State will sink the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Game Lines
Rutgers vs. Miami
As both teams enter with just one loss, this is a pretty even matchup from what I can tell. I’m going to pay attention to the Clifford Omoruyi-Norchad Omier battle on the glass and see which player can help control the interior better than the other, it might ultimately be the difference in the final outcome.
Sidenote: I miss watching Ron Harper Jr. play for the Scarlett Knights.
Prediction: Miami ML
Look at me sticking with the favorites. Boring, I know. However, when two teams seem to be in a similar tier, I kind of just side with the home team.
Game Lines
No. 18 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Indiana
The preseason No. 1 will enter Assembly Hall on a two-game skid, which isn’t exactly the ideal situation when trying to stop a losing streak. On the other hand, the Hoosiers have had no such issues this season. Mike Woodson’s squad has cracked the AP Top 10 after a 6-0 start, but they’ll undoubtedly face their toughest opponent today against North Carolina.
Prediction: North Carolina ML
I’ve already said enough about the Tar Heels’ uneven start. After back-to-back tough losses, I think they get back on track today and use it as a reset for the rest of their season.
Game Lines
No. 20 Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Michigan State and Notre Dame have only faced each other three times in their men’s basketball history. While the history isn’t deep, the two teams did face one another two seasons ago in East Lansing in a game that MSU won 80-70. No Spartans from that game are rostered today, but there are a few Notre Dame players remaining that might have redemption on their minds tonight when they host Michigan State.
Prediction: Michigan State (-2.5)
Tom Izzo usually knows how to get his guys ready for big games and that should hold true on this Wednesday night.
Game Lines
Boston College vs. Nebraska
While neither of these teams is particularly good, there is a pretty good player worth paying attention to in this matchup. That player you’ll be tuning in to watch is Nebraska’s Derrick Walker, He’s an absolute menace in the interior, he is averaging 17.5 points per game and his 12.5 rebounds per contest put him up there with some of the best in the country.
Prediction: Under 130.5 Points
I can’t get a feel for who will win this game, but I do have a feel for how it’ll play out. Neither one of these squads are very good at generating points, which means a defensive battle will ensue. I’d take my chances on the Under.
Game Lines
