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Pittsburgh vs. Iowa: Key storylines for 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: The Iowa Hawkeyes huddle before 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 huddle before 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) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Isaiah Moss #4,Connor McCaffery #0 and Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the championship game of 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: Isaiah Moss #4,Connor McCaffery #0 and Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the championship game of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh and Iowa might not be the most marquee matchup in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge but still, have some intriguing storylines.

It’s early… but one clear contender for the most improved program for the 2018-19 season is the Pittsburgh Panthers, one of less than 30 teams left in NCAA Basketball without a loss at 6-0. Last season, the team went 8-24, while losing every ACC game they played.

The schedule admittedly hasn’t been tough, with a win over Saint Louis as the only one of note. But considering that the program lost to both Navy and Montana to open last season, no win should be taken for granted.

The Panthers will face their toughest opponent to date in Iowa, another vastly improved program from a year ago. They were 14-19 last season but are 5-0, with a 2K Classic tournament title to show for it. The nationally televised wins over No. 13 Oregon and UConn sent a message throughout the Big Ten that they are legit and a clear contender for an NCAA Tournament bid. Now ranked No. 20 themselves, Iowa looks to continue their momentum with a tough schedule ahead.

Last season, Pittsburgh didn’t participate in last season’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge (good thing for the ACC) but Iowa did. That turned out to be a bad thing for the Big Ten, with the Hawkeyes getting destroyed by Virginia Tech by 24 points. They look to redeem themselves against a foe also looking to regain respect in the eyes of their conference mates. Here are some key storylines to look for in his contest.

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