ACC/Big 10 "Challenge" prediction thread
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:57 pm
When this thing started it was supposed to be a great match-up of the two best hoops conferences. That's more or less what it was, aside from the Big 10 not sending their top 9 and the slanted schedule favoring the ACC. After the initial 5-4 close calls this thing has turned into an annual ugly bashing of the Big 10 by the ACC. Will this year be any different??
Wisconsin at Virginia Tech- One of the more intriguing match-ups this year. Wisconsin with their system and size against a more up-tempo but youthful Hokies attack. I give the slighest of edges to the Badgers here but wouldn't be at all surprised to see VT end up with the W. Big 10 up 1-0.
Duke at Purdue- This is one of the top two match-ups in this years slate of games. Dook has to play a true road game in an extremely hostile environment, but they get to play a team that stylistically wants to play very similar to how them Dook boys like to play. Typically the way to beat Dook is to overpower them inside as most teams that try to beat them at their own game walk away beaten. The Purdue faithful are five steps beyond hyped for this game. They see it as their chance to make a national statement that they are a legit FF caliber team. I'm just hard pressed to see them getting the W even in Mackey arena, but again could easily see it going the other way. The slight edge to the Devils here. Tied 1-1.
Clemson at Illinois- With the loss of both Pruitt and Randle inside I'm hard pressed to see Illannoy ready for this tough of a test this early in the year. Clemson doesn't have a ton of size which will help negate the interior losses dUI suffered but I think the Tigers have just enough to get a hard earned road W. ACC up 2-1.
Ohio State at Miami- I would love to see them play again later in the year when the Buckeyes young guns like Mullen have more experience. Miami is poised to challenge the elite ACC teams this year so I don't see them dropping this one at home. ACC up 3-1.
Virginia at Minnesota- Tubby has the Gophers poised to return to a tournament caliber team and the Barn is a house of horrors for visiting teams. ACC up 3-2.
Iowa at Boston College- Take away Rice and BC is a very young team but Rice is a great senior leader and all those BC sophs have had a year to adapt to the college game and the BC system. Lickliter is only in year 2 of his 4 year rebuilding project so the Hawkeyes aren't ready for a road win like this. ACC up 4-2.
UNC vs Michigan State- The marquee match-up of the event and the lone "neutral" court game. Guys coming back from injury could determine the winner here. How healthy will Hansbrough be and how close to 100% is super frosh Delvon Roe?? If Hansbrough is back I've gotta give the edge to UNC as his experience down low is key. If he isn't then UNC is reliant on unheralded players and frosh, which gives Sparty a big edge down low. I can't wait to see the Lucas vs Lawson PG speed battle. I think if there's any chance of playing Pyscho T won't miss this game in his final collegiate season. For that reason I'll give the edge to UNC, but this is another one I could see going either way. ACC up 5-2.
Indiana at Wake Forest- This could get ugly. I don't want to talk about it. ACC up 6-2.
Michigan at Maryland- Manny Harris is a STUD but the Wolverines aren't quite ready for prime time yet, even against a mediocre Terps squad. DC Clone and PreDone, where are they now?? ACC up 7-2.
Florida State at Northwestern- This is a tough spot for Sissyroo's boys as Northwestern actually has some pretty good players and employs a style that can give teams fits. I'm giving the edge to the Cats. ACC up 7-3.
Penn State at Georgia Tech- PSU may make a game out of this, or it might end up exhibit 34562 as to why they're looking for another head coach come of the offseason. ACC wins 8-3.
So to answer my own question, nope it won't be any different this year. On a plus the match-ups again are pretty decent, it's just that the talent disparity is too wide right now to make this thing more competitive.
Wisconsin at Virginia Tech- One of the more intriguing match-ups this year. Wisconsin with their system and size against a more up-tempo but youthful Hokies attack. I give the slighest of edges to the Badgers here but wouldn't be at all surprised to see VT end up with the W. Big 10 up 1-0.
Duke at Purdue- This is one of the top two match-ups in this years slate of games. Dook has to play a true road game in an extremely hostile environment, but they get to play a team that stylistically wants to play very similar to how them Dook boys like to play. Typically the way to beat Dook is to overpower them inside as most teams that try to beat them at their own game walk away beaten. The Purdue faithful are five steps beyond hyped for this game. They see it as their chance to make a national statement that they are a legit FF caliber team. I'm just hard pressed to see them getting the W even in Mackey arena, but again could easily see it going the other way. The slight edge to the Devils here. Tied 1-1.
Clemson at Illinois- With the loss of both Pruitt and Randle inside I'm hard pressed to see Illannoy ready for this tough of a test this early in the year. Clemson doesn't have a ton of size which will help negate the interior losses dUI suffered but I think the Tigers have just enough to get a hard earned road W. ACC up 2-1.
Ohio State at Miami- I would love to see them play again later in the year when the Buckeyes young guns like Mullen have more experience. Miami is poised to challenge the elite ACC teams this year so I don't see them dropping this one at home. ACC up 3-1.
Virginia at Minnesota- Tubby has the Gophers poised to return to a tournament caliber team and the Barn is a house of horrors for visiting teams. ACC up 3-2.
Iowa at Boston College- Take away Rice and BC is a very young team but Rice is a great senior leader and all those BC sophs have had a year to adapt to the college game and the BC system. Lickliter is only in year 2 of his 4 year rebuilding project so the Hawkeyes aren't ready for a road win like this. ACC up 4-2.
UNC vs Michigan State- The marquee match-up of the event and the lone "neutral" court game. Guys coming back from injury could determine the winner here. How healthy will Hansbrough be and how close to 100% is super frosh Delvon Roe?? If Hansbrough is back I've gotta give the edge to UNC as his experience down low is key. If he isn't then UNC is reliant on unheralded players and frosh, which gives Sparty a big edge down low. I can't wait to see the Lucas vs Lawson PG speed battle. I think if there's any chance of playing Pyscho T won't miss this game in his final collegiate season. For that reason I'll give the edge to UNC, but this is another one I could see going either way. ACC up 5-2.
Indiana at Wake Forest- This could get ugly. I don't want to talk about it. ACC up 6-2.
Michigan at Maryland- Manny Harris is a STUD but the Wolverines aren't quite ready for prime time yet, even against a mediocre Terps squad. DC Clone and PreDone, where are they now?? ACC up 7-2.
Florida State at Northwestern- This is a tough spot for Sissyroo's boys as Northwestern actually has some pretty good players and employs a style that can give teams fits. I'm giving the edge to the Cats. ACC up 7-3.
Penn State at Georgia Tech- PSU may make a game out of this, or it might end up exhibit 34562 as to why they're looking for another head coach come of the offseason. ACC wins 8-3.
So to answer my own question, nope it won't be any different this year. On a plus the match-ups again are pretty decent, it's just that the talent disparity is too wide right now to make this thing more competitive.