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NCAA Basketball: 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge preview and predictions

By Austin Walther

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Michigan Wolverines head Basketball Coach Jon Beilein watches the action during the first half of the game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Crisler Center on November 23, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Chattanooga Mocs 83-55. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Michigan Wolverines head Basketball Coach Jon Beilein watches the action during the first half of the game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Crisler Center on November 23, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Chattanooga Mocs 83-55. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles against Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles against Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

ACC/Big Ten Challenge Game 5: Michigan State @ Louisville

TV Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET ESPN

Arena: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY

Michigan State fell to Kansas on opening night which seemed like a lot more than what the final score showed. There were a lot of question marks. The Spartans won three buy games and entered a good Las Vegas Invitational. That was their coming out party. Cassius Winston and Joshua Langford make a great duo in the back court.

Louisville is going through transition issues. Chris Mack is adjusting to being the new head coach. They took care of the buy games and then entered a very underrated NIT Tipoff Tournament. The Cardinals fell by 11 to Tennessee in the opener and then lost in overtime to Marquette.

The Cardinals are going back home, but will have to go up against a Michigan State team that has found its groove. The Spartans usually go through a rollercoaster type of season and when they’re humming, not a whole a lot of teams are better.

The biggest improvement of the season so far for Michigan State is Langford’s jump shot. The fact that he has 18 made outside shots is a reason to believe that Michigan State is still an elite team. Nick Ward has help around the basket. Kenny Goins isn’t much a scoring threat, but he’s hauling in nine boards per game and Xavier Tillman is a great sixth man in the front court.

Louisville was supposed to be led by V.J. King this year. Jordan Nwora is going off after not averaging over six per game last season. He has 18.4 points and seven boards. Darius Perry is another who went from three per game to over 11 this season. They are getting guys to step up, but it’s not enough to win quality games and Michigan State is putting it all together right now.

Prediction: Michigan State 82, Louisville 70