The 23rd edition of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge got underway Monday as the Big Ten took a 2-0 lead thanks to wins from Iowa and Illinois. In the opening game, Virginia stormed back from a 21-point deficit to take a one point lead late, but Joe Toussaint hit a tough shot with eight seconds left to secure the win. Notre Dame threatened to make things interesting in the second half before Kofi Cockburn and the Illini closed the door.
Tuesday proved more of the same as the Big Ten got wins in four of six games, taking a 6-2 lead on the ACC. Eight wins are needed to clinch. Syracuse and Wake Forest were the big winners for the ACC, while Ohio State’s comeback win over No. 1 Duke provided the marquee game of the night. The Blue Devils had no field goals (and just one made free throw) over the final 5:18 of the game. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, got 20 points from Zed Key and 14 from E.J. Liddell in the victory.
Since 2009, the Big Ten has outright won seven of these events, with the ACC taking two and the two conferences tying thrice. Overall, the ACC leads the series 12-7-3, buoyed by a 10-0 start from 1999-2008.
We have six more games tonight, so let’s take a look at what to expect.
All odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.