Take all of what is to come with a grain of salt. With these games scheduled to take place December 8th and 9th. There is a ton of time for cancellations, I pray there aren’t any, injuries, and other factors that can affect these matchups. I am strictly looking at matchups that bring the most intrigue in this years version of the ACC/B1G Challenge. This is the ACC/B1G Challenge Key Matchup: Part 1.
#8 Illinois at #9 Duke: Wendell Moore Jr. vs. Ayo Dosunmu
Looking forward, I think all College Hoops fans hope to have a season. I can tell you that fans will hope to see this matchup in the flow of the game! Although, Trent Frazier is considered Illinois’ best defending guard, it will be Dosunmu that asks for the assignment to guard the Blue Devils guard however. Though Moore isn’t their top returning scorer, with Tre Jones and Cassius Stanley gone Coach K will hand the keys to the car over too Wendell.
Going forward, these two will be two of the most highlighted players going into the season for their respective teams. With Dosunmu coming back to finish what one would consider unfinished business, this matchup oozes raw talent.
#16 North Carolina at #5 Iowa: North Carolina’s Front Court vs. Luka Garza
6’8″, 6’10”, 6’9″, 6’10”, 7′, and 6’11”. Those are the sizes of North Carolina’s projected front court players. They will all no doubt get at least a shot to give Luka a different matchup at some point in their game. It has to be said though, only a few of their front court players have any experience against a talent like Luka.
For Luka, it is extremely important to use his size and experience to overpower the inexperienced front line of the Tar Heels. As the leading returning scorer from either team, it is important that he doesn’t regress going into this season. To be considered as one of the best players in the next years draft, he has to find a way to improve his game rather than take steps backs.
#23 Ohio State at Notre Dame: Ohio State transfers vs. Notre Dame experience
This years Buckeye team will rely heavily on their transfers. Seth Towns from Harvard, Justice Sueing from Cal, and Abel Porter from Utah St will all look to be key contributors if Ohio State wants to reach a sniff of the success that they had last season.
For Notre Dame they bring back a lot of guys from a team that had a disappointing season. It’s hard to see a Mike Brey led team struggling two years in a row. Having Cormac Ryan eligible this year will only add to the scoring range for this team.
ACC: 0 Big Ten: 3
As hard is it is to be impartial, I just don’t see any of these Big Ten teams losing. Though the ACC opposition will put up a fight, I just don’t think they are as talented as their opponents.
