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.
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.
With four Big Ten teams in the newly released AP Poll and only now-No. 1 Duke ranked for the ACC, it looks like it could be another easy win for the Big Ten.
Six games take place tonight, with the ACC only favored in two of them. Let’s take a look at the action.
All odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.