Nov. 30--The Big Ten reclaimed the championship last season.
After the conferences tied two straight years, the Big Ten claimed the Big Ten-ACC Challenge 8-6. This season may be a bit different with the ACC featuring dominant teams like Duke, North Carolina and Virginia.
Expect the Big Ten to make it tough. After all, it hasn't lost the Challenge since 2008.
Monday
Clemson (4-1) at Minnesota (4-2)
Neither team can really shoot well. But the Gophers are hitting only 43.1 percent from the field.
Pick: Clemson
Wake Forest (4-2) at Rutgers (3-3)
Guard Bryant Crawford showed he can drive and score in an upset victory against Indiana. Rutgers shouldn't pose a problem.
Pick: Wake Forest
Tuesday
Maryland (6-0) at North Carolina (5-1)
If point guard Marcus Paige returns from a hand injury to make his season debut, the edge goes to the Tar Heels. They have the home-court advantage and possibly an emotional (and statistical) edge.
Pick: North Carolina
Virginia (5-1) at Ohio State (2-3)
The Buckeyes are in a three-game nonconference losing streak for the first time since 1997. Virginia's trademark defense (39.1 opponent field-goal percentage) won't give Ohio State any breaks.
Pick: Virginia
Michigan (4-2) at North Carolina State (4-2)
Guard Caris LeVert's return after his foot injury last season has been a gift to the Wolverines. He's averaging 18.5 points a game.
Pick: Michigan
Purdue (6-0) at Pittsburgh (4-0)
Both teams are tough rebounders. But the Boilermakers' size advantage leads to nearly 14 more rebounds per game than opponents.
Pick: Purdue
Northwestern (5-1) at Virginia Tech (4-2)
If the Wildcats are on from the 3-point line, then they can pull off a victory in their first true road game of the season.
Pick: Northwestern
Miami (5-1) at Nebraska (5-2)
Miami is a tough team to figure out with victories against Butler and Utah but a loss to Northeastern. Cornhuskers guard Tai Webster is playing well (39 points in two games in the Barclays Center Classic).
Pick: Nebraska
Wednesday
Indiana (4-2) at Duke (6-1)
These teams boast two of the best offenses in college basketball. Duke averages 86 points per game, and Indiana 84.3. The Blue Devils, however, play better defense.
Pick: Duke
Louisville (5-0) at Michigan State (7-0)
Coach Rick Pitino said the Cardinals are unranked because of their off-court scandals. A win over Michigan State would make that inevitable. But the Spartans are cruising behind Denzel Valentine.
Pick: Michigan State
Notre Dame (4-2) at Illinois (3-4)
The Illini seemed to turn a corner in the Emerald Coast Classic, but Notre Dame is too experienced, led by guard Demetrius Jackson, and too tough.
Pick: Notre Dame
Wisconsin (4-3) at Syracuse (6-0)
The Orange made a loud statement by beating Texas A and Connecticut in the Bahamas. They shot 46.5 percent on 3-pointers in three games.
Pick: Syracuse
Florida State (4-1) at Iowa (4-2)
Senior forward Jarrod Uthoff is dominating (22 points per game) and the Hawkeyes are believing again after beating Wichita State.
Pick: Iowa
Penn State (3-2) at Boston College (3-3)
Maybe flip a coin for this one? The Nittany Lions' shooting is off. Boston College is out of sorts too.
Pick: Boston College
sryan@tribpub.com
