ACC-Big Ten Challenge: Atlantic Coast Was Cruising, but Big Ten Is Bruising

Originally a made-for-TV creation designed to gin up interest during college basketball's sleepy early season, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge has blossomed into a high-profile chance for teams to boost RPI and claim a non-conference scalp.

Historically, the series is pretty lopsided, with the ACC holding a 67-41 advantage (or 10-1, if you go by years). But with the series currently at 4-2 with five more games scheduled for tonight, the Big Ten—loaded this season like a Sizzler baked potato—could overcome some early upsests and break through.  If they do, they'll do it the Big Ten way: team ball, strong defense and good shooting.

The challenge began with two upset wins for the ACC: Virginia rode 77 percent shooting from behind the arc (you read that correctly) to shock No. 13 Minnesota, while depleted Wake Forest held off Iowa. 

But the Big Ten rebounded.  The surprising 5-0 Northwestern Wildcats were almost as hot as the Cavaliers in downing a pitiful Georgia Tech team, which already has a loss to Kennesaw State on its resume. (If, like me, you thought Wake had last place in the ACC all sewn up, you may want to think again.)  Half an hour later, double-double machine Jared Sullinger and the scary, scary Ohio State Buckeyes pounded out Chris Singleton and Florida State, holding the 'Noles to just 35 percent shooting, albeit while shooting just 32 percent themselves.

Last night, Tim Hardaway, Darius Morris and the Michigan Wolverines closed out an impressive win over Clemson. No. 21 Illinois had five players in double figures as they handled a young and apparently overrated North Carolina group.

That brings us to tonight. Undefeated but untested Indiana has a winnable game against scrappy Boston College. N.C. State is still without star forward Tracy Smith; its fairly green starting five may be frustrated by the defensive savants at Wisconsin. Maryland should handle Penn State in what is probably the tournament's only gimme (on paper, anyway). 

The two marquis games, however, could end up as a sweep for the ACC. Purdue and Virginia Tech are both coming off of tough losses, but the Hokies probably want and need this one a little more. And in the main course, I'm going to assume Duke wins (in this case, over No. 6 Michigan State) until they prove otherwise.

If all these predictions are correct, that would be a 6-5 victory for the Big Ten, and a sign that they're for real this season. We know upsets can happen, but if the remaining Big Ten teams follow in the hobnailed footsteps of their precursors, the Midwest is going to win this year's battle.

(UPDATE:  I got two of my five predictions wrong, but the Big Ten still pulled out the 6-5 victory.)

(UPDATE #2:  I think it's funny that there are still people voting in the poll.  Psst...the tournament is over.  Your correct vote is far less impressive now!)