Big Ten-ACC Challenge 2014: Full Schedule, Live Stream Info and Predictions

Your move, ACC. 

The Big Ten is off to a dominating start in the 2014 Big Ten-ACC Challenge and seized a 6-2 lead with four more victories Tuesday night. With only six more games remaining Wednesday, the Big Ten only has to win two additional contests to ensure a victory in the Challenge.

The ironic part is that Maryland may be the team to clinch it for the Big Ten in its game against Virginia just a year after switching over from the ACC.

Here is a look at the schedule and predictions for every game remaining in the Challenge before taking a closer look at the marquee event.

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Pick
Dec. 1	Rutgers at Clemson	7 p.m.	ESPNU	RUT won, 69-64
Dec. 1	Nebraska at Florida State	7 p.m.	ESPN2	NEB won, 70-65
Dec. 2	Pittsburgh at Indiana	7 p.m.	ESPN2	IND won, 81-69
Dec. 2	Minnesota at Wake Forest	7 p.m.	ESPNU	MIN won, 84-69
Dec. 2	Syracuse at Michigan	7:30 p.m.	ESPN	MICH won, 68-65
Dec. 2	Illinois at Miami (FL)	9 p.m.	ESPN2	MIA won, 70-61
Dec. 2	North Carolina State at Purdue	9 p.m.	ESPNU	PUR won, 66-61
Dec. 2	Ohio State at Louisville	9:30 p.m.	ESPN	LOU won, 64-55
Dec. 3	Michigan State at Notre Dame	7:15 p.m.	ESPN2	MSU
Dec. 3	Virginia Tech at Penn State	7:15 p.m.	ESPNU	PSU
Dec. 3	Iowa at North Carolina	7:30 p.m.	ESPN	UNC
Dec. 3	Georgia Tech at Northwestern	9:15 p.m.	ESPNU	NW
Dec. 3	Virginia at Maryland	9:15 p.m.	ESPN2	UVA
Dec. 3	Duke at Wisconsin	9:30 p.m.	ESPN	WIS

*All games can be viewed online at WatchESPN (cable subscription required).

Wednesday Game to Watch: Duke at Wisconsin

Andy Manis/Associated Press

The rest of the games in the Big-Ten ACC Challenge were just the undercards leading up to the clash between Wisconsin and Duke.

College basketball fans will be treated to a potential Final Four preview between two Top Five teams in one of the best and most underrated venues in the entire sport. The winner will add a monumental carrot to its early-season resume and have a marquee nonconference win that the selection committee will eventually reward on Selection Sunday. 

You know it’s a big game when the NBA people are paying attention, via Myron Medcalf of ESPN:

The overwhelming theme of this matchup may be talented youth vs. tested experience.

The Badgers brought back Frank Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Traevon Jackson, Nigel Hayes, Sam Dekker and Bronson Koenig from their Final Four team, so this will certainly not be their first time under the bright lights. Duke, on the other hand, is very reliant on its freshmen in Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow.

The Blue Devils youngsters have not played a college game in front of a raucous road crowd yet, which means the Kohl Center could be something of a system shock in the opening few minutes. They are all talented enough to eventually settle in, but don’t be surprised if there are a few early mistakes.

Lance King/Getty Images

What’s more, Duke is only 5-6 on the road under the great Mike Krzyzewski in Top Five matchups, which is a testament to just how difficult it is to win away from home in college basketball against elite competition. 

ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla passed along an intriguing stat, even if it isn’t directly applicable to this season’s Blue Devils:

The game within the game will be the big-man battle between Okafor and Kaminsky.

Kaminsky captured the attention of the nation during Wisconsin’s Final Four run a season ago, but Okafor could be the No. 1 pick in the next NBA draft because of his ability to score on the block, grab rebounds and protect the rim. Kaminsky can do all of those things, but the best part of his game is his prowess from behind the three-point line, which stretches the defense and forces big men away from the basket.

Lance King/Getty Images

Krzyzewski may use Amile Jefferson on Kaminsky for stretches to keep Okafor at the rim, but pulling the Duke freshman away from the basket would be critical for the Badgers in the rebounding department. 

Wisconsin basketball passed along a quote from Kaminsky about this matchup between potential All-Americans:

One area where Duke may have an advantage is the matchup between Winslow and Dekker. Dekker is one of the more talented players in the country, but Winslow’s defense can be overwhelming at times because of his athleticism, speed and length. Don’t be surprised if Winslow swallows Dekker’s game from the opening minutes and forces other Badgers to beat Duke.

The tested veteran vs. talented freshman storyline will also play a role at point guard with Jackson going up against Jones.

There are some similarities in their games with both always looking to set up teammates first in the passing department, but Jones’ overall ceiling is much higher as a future NBA player. That won’t mean much in Madison though, with Jackson in his comfort zone in front of the zealous crowd finding his teammates in just the right spots.

Based on pure talent alone, the Blue Devils will be the best team in the country outside of Kentucky by March. However, the freshmen will experience some early growing pains and won’t quite be ready for this marquee matchup away from Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

The Kohl Center crowd will propel Wisconsin on a few early runs to give the Badgers the lead. From there, Wisconsin will play its typically stifling defense and hold onto the lead for a critical win for its resume and the Big Ten conference as a whole. 

Prediction: Wisconsin 78, Duke 71

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