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

By Tristan Freeman

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
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 Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
ACC/Big Ten Challenge Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

8. Wake Forest at Wisconsin

There would’ve been a lot of starpower had this game occurred a year ago, with Johnny Davis, Alondes Williams, and Jake LaRavia has now gone to the NBA. There isn’t a ton of individual talent but these are teams that should be in the middle tier of their respective conferences and this should be a potential “bubble game” for the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

Wake Forest has several transfers, including Tyree Appleby and Jao Ituka, while Wisconsin is hoping for a breakout campaign from Chucky Hepburn. The Demon Deacons’ offense vs the Badgers’ defense should be a fun contrast of strengths and there should be some stakes to this game as well.

7. Syracuse at Illinois

The Boeheim brothers are gone but dad and head coach Jim Boeheim remains and has a large incoming recruiting class to work with. Joe Girard is a fun guard to watch when he’s making shots and how opposing teams deal with the famous 2-3 zone is always an interesting aspect of games with the Orange.

Their opponent is one of the more fascinating teams of the offseason in Illinois, which could be a top-10 team or in the bottom half of the Big Ten depending on how things work out. Five-star freshman guard and former Kentucky commit Skyy Clark is the starting point guard, while impact transfers, Terrence Shannon and Matthew Mayer could become stars with the Illini. There are a lot of questions in this game and it should be a fun one no matter the result.

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