NCAA Basketball: Ranking the matchups for 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 14 matchups for 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Nov 27, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA A general view of the ACC Big Ten challenge logo on the floor prior to the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

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ACC/Big Ten Challenge PJ Hall Clemson Tigers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

12. Pittsburgh at Northwestern

These teams are already fairly familiar with one another, as the Panthers won the 2019 and 2020 battles in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both programs have struggled in the last few years and neither is predicted to be NCAA Tournament teams next season, especially after Northwestern lost leading scorer and rebounder Pete Nance to North Carolina.

Pittsburgh has a new-look roster, led by top-50 freshman guard Dior Johnson, who is a highly known recruit due to his many high school stops and previous commitments. Seeing how good he is alone will make this game watchable but as for the two teams themselves, not really.

11. Penn State at Clemson

This game could have some bubble implications for the NCAA Tournament, depending on how both programs do. Clemson may be less likely after losing all of its guards this offseason but still has forwards PJ Hall and Hunter Tyson coming back. Penn State’s strength is in the backcourt, led by Jalen Pickett and incoming transfer Cam Wynter.

There’s little individual starpower in this game and both are projected, bottom-half teams. But it should be a fairly competitive game, which alone could get some interest in the final 10 minutes.

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