Some of this year’s games are pretty good. And others, not so much.
The matchups for the 2017 ACC/Big Ten Challenge were announced on Thursday, and as we discussed, the Syracuse Orange will be hosting the Maryland Terrapins. But that’s just one of 14 matchups to take place during non-conference play later this year. The annual interconference battle features plenty of other intriguing games, along with some duds.
So which do we want to watch the most (and the least)? We ranked all 14 matchups, which are entertainingly devoid of Pitt, in terms of overall quality and intrigue.
1. Michigan Wolverines at North Carolina Tar Heels
The Jordan brand wet dream features the defending national champs against a Michigan team that closed last season rather well, and could probably be a top-25 level group again this year, despite some roster turnover. This will be an interesting early test for both teams if they have a chance to live up to some loftier expectations.
2. Louisville Cardinals at Purdue Boilermakers
This is a repeat matchup from the 2016 Challenge, which Louisville won by seven at home. The Boilermakers’ biggest question all season will be how to replace Caleb Swanigan; and the Cards should be a good gauge of the answer they arrive at. Relative regional proximity also provides some extra intrigue and a potential split crowd (or close to it) at Purdue.
3. Wisconsin Badgers at Virginia Cavaliers
The Bennett Bowl may be unwatchable to some, but at least you won’t hear other fan bases complaining about facing these two. They’ve also met twice before in recent ACC/Big Ten Challenges -- in both 2012 and 2013. Each team’s won one of those, so consider this the rubbermatch.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan State Spartans
The early Big Ten favorite against the always-plucky Irish should be a fun one that draws additional ire from the schools’ shared gridiron history. MSU is an early Final Four pick, but Notre Dame brings back Bonzie Colson, which is likely to mean they’re right back in the mix. This matchup may have the most potential for fun.
5. Duke Blue Devils at Indiana Hoosiers
This is less about the strength of Indiana vs. Duke, and more about the spectacle and excitement that the Blue Devils usually bring along to these types of “blueblood”-ish matchups. But despite the Hoosiers probably needing some time to get rolling under Archie Miller, his presence alone should make this one buzzworthy.
6. Miami Hurricanes at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Don’t act so surprised. They were both NCAA Tournament teams last year, and Minnesota’s actually rising quickly now under Richard Pitino, after a slow start. Miami’s become a pretty consistent group too under Jim Larranaga. You’re rooting for the ‘Canes here, just to spite the Golden Gophers for things that happened years ago at this point.
7. Maryland Terrapins at Syracuse Orange
Maryland loses Melo Trimble, and there’s some shared non-basketball history for these programs (along with a tight 57-55 win by the Orange back in 2014). Other than that, it’s a matchup of two notable programs about five or six hours away from one another. Deserved or not, it’ll be among the featured games.
8. Northwestern Wildcats at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Cinderella aspect of the Wildcats has faded away now that they’ve finally made the NCAAs, and now can just transition to being a normal basketball program. Last year’s team was reasonably young, so there’s reason to believe NU continues to improve. Tech also looks to be on the upswing, making this a sneaky-good matchup.
9. Iowa Hawkeyes at Virginia Tech Hokies
Iowa has a habit of being pretty respectable, while Virginia Tech has gotten feisty under Buzz Williams and should continue to become a better and better program with him. It also feels like an atypical clash, which is helpful in making ho-hum games in the Challenge a bit more meaningful.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Illinois played well late last year, but still missed the NCAA Tournament. Wake did just enough to get in (over a Syracuse team they lost to), so that should make for a pretty even contest. The Deacs are getting better, but I’m still not sure I’d call them “fun.” Illinois’s Final Four run in 2005 feels like a lifetime ago.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions at NC State Wolfpack
You’re watching this game for NC State, and their impressive job of reloading on talent this offseason. Penn State basketball’s never existed in my mind and never will.
12. Clemson Tigers at Ohio State Buckeyes
If this were football, it takes the top spot. But with both teams hitting reset a bit (Thad Matta leaving OSU and Jaron Blossomgame graduating from Clemson), I’m not so sure I want to watch this one.
13. Florida State Seminoles at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
There Will Be Blood gets a sequel, as FSU heads up to New Jersey to knock Rutgers around for two hours. Despite losing some significant talent from last year, the ‘Noles are still well situated to overmatch the Scarlet Knights.
14. Boston College Eagles at Nebraska Cornhuskers
NOOOOOOOOPE. Not watching this. You can’t make me.
