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

Purdue at No. 13 Florida State – Nov. 28

These two teams haven’t met in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge since Nov. 29, 2005, so it’s fitting they meet again to renew a potential nonconference battle. The Florida State Seminoles should be heavily favored. Rising senior Terance Mann returns as the Seminoles’ leading scorer (12.6 points per game) and rebounder (5.4 rebounds per game). Guard C.J. Walker recorded 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while Trent Forrest averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

The production is back for Florida State after they made it all the way to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament. They’ll need to bring their “A game” against the Purdue Boilermakers.

The Boilermakers went 30-7 and were an NCAA Tournament last season as well. They will lose three of their top four scorers to graduation, though, so replacing them will be paramount in 2018-19. Rising junior guard Carsen Edwards should have the green light on offense after averaging 18.5 points and shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point land in 2017-18. He also averaged 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest.

Purdue could be another team that sees itself in the top-25 ranks early in the season. Florida State will need to flex their muscles in the experience department early or things could get interesting in a hurry.