NCAA Basketball: Preview for the 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

No. 15 Virginia Tech @ Penn State – Nov. 27

The Nittany Lions will have their hands full in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge when the Virginia Tech Hokies come to town. It is the first meeting between these two teams since Dec. 3, 2014. Penn State won that meeting 61-58 as the home team, but this challenge won’t be an easy one.

The Hokies return four of their five starters from last year’s squad, which made its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and completed its third consecutive 20-win season. Head coach Buzz Williams is onto something in Blacksburg, expect Justin Robinson and Chris Clarke to play bigger roles on this year’s squad. Robinson poured in 14.0 points, 5.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds as a junior in 2017-18. Clarke was their unsung hero off the bench, averaging 8.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 33 appearances.

Penn State won’t be an easy opponent for the Hokies, either. Lamar Stevens had a strong sophomore season for head coach Patrick Chambers as they went 26-13 in 2017-18. He averaged 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. This game isn’t lacking in the impact player department, making it another solid matchup to watch in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge.