The 11th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge starts this week and let’s be honest, it hasn’t been much of a challenge for the ACC to win it. The Big Ten has never won the annual match up and this year might be their best chance. With six teams in the top 25 in both the Coach’s and AP poll the Big Ten looks poised to finally take the challenge.
Whether it is fair or not, the nation looks at the Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1) as the measuring stick for the Big Ten. Most of this stems from the football team, which has struggled in nationally televised games, including the dreaded 2006-2007 season where Florida dominated the Buckeyes in two title games (Football and Men’s Basketball).
This year the veteran Buckeyes get the much-improved Florida State Seminoles (6-1), whose only loss came to the aforementioned Florida Gators. The Seminoles are lead by 7-1 sophomore center Solomon Alabi and sophomore forward Chris Singleton.
The Buckeyes counter with all world junior guard/forward Evan Turner. Turner is averaging a double double for the season and has garnered two triple doubles and three Big Ten player of the week awards.
OSU is coming off a blow out victory against St. Francis (PA) where they dominated every facet of the game. The large margin of victory allowed Thad Matta to get his entire bench involved in the game and rest his starters with none of the starters playing more than 28 minutes.
Florida State on the other hand is coming off of a one-point victory over Marquette where they were down 30-18 at the half. Florida State’s schedule has been rather weak so far, which has me believing that their record may be the product of inferior competition rather than superior play.
If their recent performances have been any indication the Buckeyes will come out strong both shooting and on defense and try to limit the size difference of the Florida State big man down low. The size and skill of the FSU center will keep them in the game for the first ten minutes but the Buckeyes outside shooting and ball movement will just be too much for them to handle. If the scarlet and gray are cold from outside you can expect to see a lot of cutting and ball movement freeing up Turner and David Lighty in the second half. In the end however the Seminoles are just too young and the Buckeyes just too talented to let this one slip away.
Prediction: Ohio State 68 – Florida Sate 55
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am impressed with how well the Big Ten is doing this year against the ACC.
Indiana didn’t do it’s part, but Iowa needs to pull this game out against Virginia Tech. If MSU can come back and beat UNC then it will be a tough mountain to climb for the ACC.
Looks like they are all tied going into tomorrow’s games. I’m looking at Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio State to cruise the Big Ten into a challenge victory.
It’s horrible that I thought Michigan would make it a game. As soon as I start to write that they are on a 5-0 run. But might be to little to late.
Clemson is smoking Illinois.
And Minnesota is actually hanging tough with Miami.
First conference to three wins in tonights games wins the challenge. Doesn’t look good if it comes down to the Wisconsin vs. Duke game.
Illinois has made a run with 7 minutes left, tying the game up at 63.
Just like in football Michigan is disappointing with a very lackluster display on defense and on the glass.
What a comeback for the Illini. No heart for Michigan (tell me something new) and Minnesotta put up a great effort but just couldn’t hang on.
Badgers have come out HOT!!!! Who knows if they can sustain it against Duke.
Great win for the Badgers and the Big Ten.
Not to toot my own horn but I was pretty close on my prediction and the final score