NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 14 matchups for 2021 ACC/Big Ten Challenge
14. Northwestern at Wake Forest
These two teams finished near the bottom of their respective conferences and that’s to be expected again, even though they each return leading scorers. Daivien Williamson is back for Wake Forest after averaging 12.9 ppg, along with forward Isaiah Mucius and joined by transfers Alondes Williams and Jake Laravia.
Northwestern has Chase Audige, along with double-digit scorers Boo Buie and Pete Nance. They have more returning production and should have some cohesion advantage over Wake Forest but the ACC program has a higher ceiling. Either way, no one outside of their fan bases will have any real interest in this game but look for the experienced Wildcats to finally get a win in this challenge.
Prediction: Northwestern
13. Minnesota at Pittsburgh
This game would’ve been more interesting had it occurred last season, as star guard Marcus Carr originally started his career with the Pitt Panthers. Now he’s gone, as is star Panther forward Justin Champagnie. The Gophers have literally an entirely new roster, while Pittsburgh replaces each of their top three scorers.
Any real interest from this game will come in terms of seeing who emerges as leading scorers for their respective teams. Both programs are rebuilding and will finish towards the bottom of their standings but the winner of this will get a little confidence heading into league play. With so many new pieces, the current advantage has to go to the home team.