My way too early look at the 2011 Big Ten/ACC Challenge Match-ups

To me, The Big Ten/ACC Challenge is one of my favorite two-day events in sports.  Only a crazy person would call early December college basketball thrilling, but feel free to call me crazy.  This year, for the very first time there will be twelve match-ups thanks to the addition of Nebraska.  While I am obviously a huge Big Ten fan, here are my way too early predictions for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.  By the way, after winning the first 10 challenges the Big Ten has won the last two seasons.  I will also rank 1-12 the most exciting match-ups. 

1. Duke at Ohio State (November 29)
Why to Watch? Who wouldn't want to see two pre-season top 10 teams get together.  Both of these teams were 1 seeds in last year's NCAA Tournament.  The Buckeyes and Blue Devils have only played 5 times with the last meeting in 2002.  Jared Sullinger against the Plumlee brothers!  Duke has the top freshman in the country in Austin Rivers coming in.  Ohio State has last year's best freshman back in Jared Sullinger.

My prediction: Ohio State

2. Wisconsin at North Carolina (November 30)
Why to Watch? North Carolina will be the number 1 team in the nation going into this game.  Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller all decided to return to UNC. Jordan Taylor will need an unbelievable game to pull this one out for Wisky.

My prediction: UNC

3. Florida State at Michigan State (November 30)
Why to Watch? These two teams reversed roles last season.  Michigan State disappointed after high expectations and Florida State had a nice NCAA Tournament run.  Both of these teams will be on the verge of the preseason top 25. 

My prediction: Michigan State

4. Illinois at Maryland (November 29)
Why to Watch? This is going to be a very important year for Bruce Weber at Illinois.  He cannot afford another disappointment with his AD retiring.  It will be odd not seeing Gary Williams on the bench for this one.  I see this as a potential swing game for this challenge.

My prediction: Maryland

5. Michigan at Virginia (November 29)
Why to Watch? Michigan will be a very difficult team after surprising everyone in 2011.  They lose Darius Morris, but Tim Hardaway Jr. will be a star.  Virginia played well at times last year, and pulled off a shocking road win at Minnesota in last year's challenge.  If Virginia can pull off the upset this year, the ACC will win the challenge.

My prediction: Michigan

6. Miami at Purdue (November 29)
Why to Watch? Welcome back Robbie Hummel.  Purdue loses Jujuan Johnson and Etwan Moore.  We will see what Matt Painter can do without those stars.  Miami has a new coach in Jim Larranaga.  At Mackey Arena Purdue will be very tough.

My prediction: Purdue

7. Virginia Tech at Minnesota (November 30)
Why to Watch? Every single year it seems as though Virginia Tech ends up on the NCAA Tournament bubble.  The reason they are on the bubble is because of bad early losses.  They need to beat Minnesota on the road and get a quality win.  Minnesota nearly blew it for the Big Ten last season, losing to Virginia.  I think Tubby Smith, has a big comeback year after he has announced he is cancer-free.  VT will win this game though.

My prediction: Virginia Tech

8. Indiana at NC State (November 30)
Why to Watch? NC State has a new head coach in Mark Gottfried.  I want to see if Indiana takes a step towards being respectable in 2011-2012.  Tom Crean has put some pathetic teams on the floor in his first few seasons.  Enough with the excuses.  It starts with a road win in Raleigh.

My prediction: Indiana

9. Wake Forest at Nebraska (November 30)
Why to Watch? Wake Forest struggled (to put it kindly) last season.  Nebraska actually played some decent basketball and even got some NCAA Tournament bubble talk.  The reason this game is interesting is because it gives Big Ten fans a chance to get a look at the new program in the league. 

My prediction: Nebraska

10. Northwestern at Georgia Tech (November 29)
Why to Watch? Yet another new ACC head coach in Brian Gregory.  He has a lot of work to do after the departure of Paul Hewitt.  Everyone said last season was the season that Northwestern FINALLY makes the NCAA Tournament.  They had a nice pre-conference record, but got beat up in the Big Ten last year.  John Shurna and Northwestern will be on the bubble come March 2012.  A win against Georgia Tech is a must.

My prediction: Northwestern

11. Clemson at Iowa (November 29)
Why to Watch? Clemson played in the NCAA Tournament last year in the "First Four", and beat UAB.  I am betting that Fran McCaffery will succeed at Iowa.  They shocked everyone with a win against Purdue in the final weekend of the Big Ten Season. Clemson needs to win this game for the ACC to have a chance.

My prediction: Clemson

12. Penn State at Boston College (November 30)
Why to Watch? It is weird to type this, but Penn State is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and a run to the Big Ten Tournament Championship.  The problem is that Taylor Battle is gone.  Boston College will be much improved and will win this game at home.

My prediction: Boston College

BIG 10: 7
ACC: 5