What The Big Ten Needs to Win Their First Challenge

One of the best times in college basketball is finally here.

The first weekend in December is often what people consider the real start to college basketball. Although this year has already featured some top-notch matchups, the Big 10/ACC challenge gives us 11 evenly matched games to watch in a three-day span.

As you may know, the Big 10 has not won an Big 10/ACC Challenge. So what do they need to do this year to accomplish the feat for their very first time?

Win the Games You're Favored.

The Big 10 has to be a bit worried with the matchups given throughout the challenge this year. Wisconsin already took care of business in a game they should have won. Despite being the underdog, Wisconsin pulled through in a must-win game for the Big 10. This win was a crucial start for the Big 10.

The only other Big 10 team I think should win is Minnesota. Not saying other games won't be won by the Big 10. I just think this is the only other game a Big 10 school will be somewhat heavily favored.

Slow It Down.

The style of play between the Big 10 and the ACC are very different in most cases. The ACC schools tend to get their games above 80 points on a regular basis, whereas a combined 110 points in a Big 10 game is not uncommon.

If three or four of the games stay in the 60-point range, I like the Big 10 to pull out at least two of them. Defense late in games will be crucial as to who can pull out a 'W'.

Upset City

The Big 10 needs an upset. An upset that could really change the Challenge would be something like Purdue over Duke, Michigan State over UNC, Indiana over Wake Forest, or Ohio State over Florida.

The good news for the Big 10 is that in any of these four games an upset could definitely occur. With the exception of Indiana, all three Big 10 schools could likely come away with a win if they bring their 'A'-game and their "D-fense".

Go 60/40 on Toss-Ups

Taking away my four upset games, we look at the rest of the field. Knowing Wisconsin has already won and assuming the Big 10 can pull off one of those upsets, the count stands at ACC—3, Big 10—2.

I feel like this could be a worse-case scenario for the Big 10 as one of them is bound to win an upset game. So the race to six wins comes down to the toss-ups.

These games include Penn State at Georgia Tech, Florida State at Northwestern, Michigan at Maryland, Iowa at Boston College, and Clemson at Illinois. It could also be argued that Purdue vs. Duke and Ohio State vs. Florida State are also toss-up games.

If you'd like to take that route, then feel free. A struggling Northwestern squad needs to toughen up at home and play their game, if they want a win. Penn State needs to take the Georgia Tech crowd out of things early and establish a slow down pace as well to keep the game close.

If they can keep it within five points with four minutes to play, I'd like the Nittany Lions playmakers to make something happen. Michigan needs to throw that nasty extended zone at Maryland.

Maryland has been very inconsistent the past few years and, if Michigan jumps on them early, they can be very tough to beat.

Iowa needs their young players to step up from the get-go. A team that is not very experienced, but has played pretty well away from home, will need everyone to step up for this big game.

I don't like the Hawks chances against Boston College's playmaker Tyrese Rice. For the final toss up game Illinois needs to jump on Clemson right away. Illinois has a great home-court advantage and can use their defense to stop Clemson early.

It's important to remember that Clemson hasn't been tested yet this year, so matching a team who is just as athletic may be something new for them.

If the Big 10 wins four of these six games, they win. Easier said then done, but on a game-by-game case, it could definitely happen!

My Prediction

Although I'm an ACC fan, I would love to see the Challenge come down to the last few games. However, I'm not optimistic that this is the year. Here are my Big 10/ACC Challenge Predictions:

Wisconsin Over Virginia Tech (already played)

Duke At Purdue—Duke 76 Purdue 71

Clemson At Illinois—Clemson 73 Illinois 76

Ohio State At Miami—Ohio State 64 Miami 71

Virginia At Minnesota—Virginia 59 Minnesota 71

Iowa At Boston College—Iowa 62 Boston College 77

North Carolina Vs Michigan State—North Carolina 90 Michigan State 78

Indiana At Wake Forest—Indiana 58 Wake Forest 80

Michigan At Maryland—Michigan 69 Maryland 71

Florida State At Northwestern—Florida State 65 Northwestern 52

Penn State At Georgia Tech—Penn State 71 Georgia Tech 78

FINAL—ACC 8 Big 10 3

Better luck next year, Big 10!