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

NC State at Wisconsin – Nov. 27

After two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard fell on some hard times in 2017-18. He’ll look for greener pastures in 2018-19 as host to the NC State Wolfpack in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

It should be a good tuneup game for two teams who have carried the underrated label the past few seasons. The Wolfpack defeated four top-25 ranked opponents last season, two ranked in the Top 5. Wisconsin went 15-18 last year but a late-season 57-53 victory over then sixth-ranked Purdue was their season highlight.

Head coach Kevin Keatts led NC State to a 21-12 record, 11-7 in the ACC, in his first season. The Wolfpack’s performance was good enough to earn them an appearance in the NCAA Tournament but they lost in the first round to Seton Hall. C.J. Bryce and Devon Daniels will need to be instant contributors for them to be a solid team. Losing Omer Yurtseven to transfer to Georgetown will certainly hurt.

The return of big man Ethan Happ gives the Badgers the edge in this matchup. Happ is a do-it-all forward who averaged 17.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in his junior season. He recorded 11 double-doubles last year and should have a big performance in this matchup.

Both teams meet in the challenge for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Wisconsin won that meeting 87-48 back on Dec. 1, 2010. Things are different now, but the outcome could remain the same.