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

Minnesota at Boston College – Nov. 26

The return of Ky Bowman to the Boston College Golden Eagles probably gives the home team the early advantage into this one. The Minnesota Golden Gophers aren’t a team to sleep on with head coach Richard Pitino at the helm, either, though. These two teams will meet for the first-time ever in ACC/Big Ten Challenge history. Boston College finished the 2017-18 season with a 19-16 record. This was their first finish above .500 since the 2010-11 season.

BC lost their challenge game last year against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but they have one of the best scoring guards in the country in their backcourt this season. After testing the NBA Draft process, Bowman is back for his junior season. He averaged 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists last year before entering his name in the draft but not hiring an agent. His decision to return puts the Golden Eagles in a good position.

Minnesota will be led by senior forward Jordan Murphy, who averaged 16.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest in 2017-18. The team went 15-17 last season while lost two of their top three scorers from a year ago.