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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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate the win of the championship game against the Connecticut Huskies during the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate the win of the championship game against the Connecticut Huskies during the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

ACC/Big Ten Challenge Game 6: Pittsburgh @ No. 20 Iowa

TV Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 9 p.m. ET ESPNU

Arena: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA

Look out, Jeff Capel has led Pittsburgh to a 6-0 start. They are two wins away from matching the amount from last season. Kevin Stallings was a short-lived story for the Panthers. It hasn’t been the best toughest schedule, but a neutral win over Saint Louis is very nice in terms for this team.

Iowa is having a really nice season. I’ve been doing quite a bit of writing about the Hawkeyes lately and rightfully so. Let’s refresh your memory. They win two buy games and enter a nice 2K Classic. The expected match up was Oregon vs. Syracuse. It happened, but in the consolation game.  Iowa knocked off the Ducks and then Bob Hurley’s revamped UConn Huskies. By playing defense and finding other guys to score.

The Pitt Panthers are being led nicely from a freshman named Xavier Johnson. He leads the team in assists at 5.5 and points with 16.7. Their three-pointer shooter is Jared Wilson-Frame who has 17 as a reserve. They have a great cast of guards that really score a lot of points. A couple of them stand over six-foot-six so they are able to attack the rim.

Iowa’s size is really going to be an issue in this game. Luka Garza is having a breakout sophomore season for the Hawkeyes. He was on the All-Freshmen Big Ten list a season ago, but he’s leading the team in scoring at 16 per game. The rebounds are down under five, but Tyler Cook is an upperclassmen now, averaging almost seven boards with 16 points. Iowa also isn’t relying on Jordan Bohannon to do all the scoring. His assists are kind of down, but coach Fran’s son, Connor McCaffery is doing an excellent job as a freshman.

There’s a possibility that the top-25 ranking for Iowa gets to their head. They did put up 100 over Alabama State in between the Tournament and the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. This will be the last game before a two Big Ten game stint starts. Pitt has just at West Virginia remaining as a quality non-conference game. It’s not pretty for Iowa either. It’ll be an important game for both as they’re on opposite ends of the spectrum right now.

Prediction: Iowa 83, Pittsburgh 69