Big Ten Basketball: Takeaways from 2019 ACC/Big Ten Challenge pairings

By Adam Childs | Jun 7, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after his teams 68-67 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a free throw during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4. Ohio State gets a huge test

The Buckeyes stumbled down the stretch last year, but slipped into the NCAA tournament and then upset Iowa State in the first round before losing a close game to Houston in the round of 32.

The win against Iowa State was a glimpse of what the Buckeyes are capable of the return of the Wesson brothers has the Ohio State faithful dreaming big. They should anchor a very good Buckeyes team looking to compete for a Big Ten title.

They will get a huge test in the challenge as they must travel to North Carolina who lost a lot but reloaded with one of the best recruiting classes in the country. How good the Tar Heels are come December will depend on how quickly the new freshman gel.

Roy Williams will no doubt have the young guys playing well and he will have added motivation to make up for their blowout loss in last years challenge.

Christ Holtmann has done a great job with the Buckeyes since taking over for Thad Matta who left suddenly before the 2017-18 season and will look have them take the next step. They don’t need to win against North Carolina, but being competitive will go a long way in showing if they are ready to rise to the next level. Can Ohio State be a top ten team, or will they disappoint as they did at the end of the Big Ten season?

Home/Big Ten