Ranking the Big Ten-ACC Challenge games from most to least compelling
ESPN announced the schedule for next season's Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. Here's a look at each of the games ranked from most to least compelling.
1. Michigan State at Duke (Nov. 29): One of the first challenges for presumed preseason No. 1 Duke will be a Michigan State team with a loaded freshman class but not much in the way of veteran leadership. The Spartans will have to hope that freshman Miles Bridges makes a quick transition to the college level if they're going to keep it close against a Blue Devils team that returns All-American candidate Grayson Allen, adds a star-studded freshman class and gets Amile Jefferson back from injury.
2. North Carolina at Indiana (Nov. 30): This rematch of a Sweet 16 game won by North Carolina will feature only a few of the players who starred in that game. While the Tar Heels say goodbye to senior standouts Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson, they'll build around familiar names like Joel Berry, Justin Jackson and Isaiah Hicks. Indiana could be a more frontcourt-oriented team next season with Thomas Bryant and O.G. Anunoby both back and Yogi Ferrell having moved on to the professional ranks.
3. Purdue at Louisville (Nov. 30): The point guard position was Purdue's Achilles Heel last season, but the arrival of freshman Carsen Edwards and Michigan transfer Spike Albrecht should help stabilize an area of weakness for the Boilermakers. Louisville has top 15 potential even if Chinanu Onuaku stays in the draft as expected. The Cardinals have an array of big men capable of altering shots around the rim and attacking the glass at both ends, a pair of breakout candidates in Donovan Mitchell and Deng Adel and an incoming McDonald's All-American in V.J. King.
4. Syracuse at Wisconsin (Nov. 29): If Nigel Hayes returns to Wisconsin as expected, the Badgers will have nearly every key player back from a team that started off poorly last season but rebounded to not only make the NCAA tournament but also reach the Sweet 16. The Badgers' core of Hayes, Bronson Koenig and Ethan Happ is talented and experienced enough that they should begin the season in the top 15 in the polls. Syracuse, meanwhile, will hope that Tyler Lydon can evolve from promising freshman to team leader.
5. Ohio State at Virginia (Nov. 30): Though Virginia will lose do-it-all wing Malcolm Brogdon and forward Anthony Gill from a team that collapsed in the Elite Eight, the Cavaliers have the potential to return to Final Four contention. London Perrantes will be one of the nation's steadiest point guards and former Memphis forward Austin Nichols may be the nation's most coveted transfer. Ohio State lost by six to Virginia last season in Columbus, but the Buckeyes may pose a more formidable challenge this year as their young nucleus matures.
6. Pittsburgh at Maryland (Nov. 29): How good Maryland is next season will depend a lot on Melo Trimble's NBA draft decision. If he returns to College Park, Maryland has the potential to finish in the top third of the Big Ten standings. If he leaves, the Terps could be headed for a rebuilding year. Whatever Trimble decides, this game against Pitt won't be an easy one. The Panthers have a new coach but they bring back standout forwards Michael Young and Jamel Artis.
7. Virginia Tech at Michigan (Nov. 30): If you're surprised this game is this high, pay closer attention to Virginia Tech. Buzz Williams' Hokies won 10 ACC games last season and bring back most of their key players including former transfers Seth Allen and Zach LeDay. Michigan will serve as a good barometer for Virginia Tech. The Wolverines will build around point guard Derrick Walton Jr. and wings Zak Irvin and Duncan Robinson.
8. Iowa at Notre Dame (Nov. 29): Three of Iowa's top four scorers from last season's NCAA tournament team have moved on, but the Hawkeyes caught a big break when second leading scorer Peter Jok opted to withdraw from the draft. The 6-foot-6 sharpshooter will give Fran McCaffery a star to build around. The loss of Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste will be tough for Notre Dame to overcome, but the Irish will stay relevant thanks to a core of V.J. Beachem, Bonzi Colson and Rex Pflueger.
9. NC State at Illinois (Nov. 29): With its top two big man back, shooting guard Terry Henderson finally healthy and elite recruits Dennis Smith and Omer Yurtseven set to contribute, NC State has sleeper potential in the ACC. Illinois also has a chance to work its way into the upper half of the Big Ten behind Malcolm Hill if the rest of his teammates can stay healthy and form a consistent supporting cast.
10. Minnesota at Florida State (Nov. 28): Between a 23-loss 2015-16 campaign, turmoil off the floor and the arrival of a new athletic director, Richard Pitino is under pressure to make some progress next season. A trio of incoming recruits and a core of returning talent gives Minnesota hope, but Nate Mason and Jordan Murphy will have to be awfully good for the Gophers to win at a Florida State team that returns NBA prospect Duane Bacon.
11. Wake Forest at Northwestern (Nov. 28): Could this be the breakthrough year for either Danny Manning at Wake Forest or Chris Collins at Northwestern? Both have a chance to move up in the pecking order even if they're still NCAA tournament long shots. Wake Forest will lean heavily on promising sophomores Bryant Crawford and John Collins, while Northwestern will hope a frontcourt emerges to complement Bryant McIntosh.
12. Nebraska at Clemson (Nov. 30): The appeal of this game could depend on the draft decisions made by early-entry candidates Jaron Blossomgame of Clemson and Andrew White of Nebraska. Blossomgame led his team in scoring this past season, while White was second. Both have until Wednesday to decide whether to stay in the draft or not.
13. Rutgers at Miami (Nov. 30): With all due respect to Miami, which should be an NCAA tournament team again next season, there's no justification for putting a game involving Rutgers any higher than this. Guard Corey Sanders is promising sophomore and new coach Steve Pikiell could make progress over the next few years, but the Scarlet Knights would be doing well just to keep it close against the Hurricanes.
14. Georgia Tech at Penn State (Nov. 29): Georgia Tech fired its coach and lost all five starters from a team that failed to make the NCAA tournament last season. If ever there were an ACC-Big Ten Challenge game that Penn State should expect to win, it's this one. The Nittany Lions return standouts Shep Garner and Payton Banks and add a heralded recruiting class featuring a pair of top 100 prospects.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
