ACC/Big Ten Challenge Preview: Part 2

Based on my predictions, Tuesday's games don't match up well for the ACC.  So will Wednesday shape up any better?  Let's take a look:

Indiana at NC State
7:15 p.m., ESPN2
This is definitely a favorable matchup for the ACC.  NC State has played well this year, with wins over Texas and a solid Princeton team.  They will face an improved Indiana team, but one that is still trying to come back from being way down in the Big Ten.  Indiana's best win is over Butler, who is not anywhere near where they were last March.  I think NC State wins this one fairly easily.
Pick: NC State

Penn State at Boston College
7:15 p.m., ESPNU
Wow what a stinker.  Boston College has been really really bad so far, with a 2-4 record.  All four of those losses have been by double digits.  Penn State's best win is a home game against South Florida.  They recently lost to St. Joseph's by 18 points in a game in which they were down 22-0.  You would have to be the biggest college hoops junkie in the universe to watch more than 30 seconds of this game.
Pick: Penn State

Florida State at Michigan State
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Florida State lost a big opportunity last weekend in the Bahamas.  With UConn being upset by UCF, all FSU had to do to play in the championship game was beat Harvard.  Instead, they lost in an ugly game, had to play UConn and lost that game too.  They have a chance to get back on a good note with a road win against Michigan State.  The Spartans are in a bit of a rebuilding mode, already losing to Duke and North Carolina this year.  Michigan State is tough to beat at home, though.
Pick: Michigan State

Virginia Tech at Minnesota
9:15 p.m., ESPN2
The Hokies have been playing pretty solid basketball this year, with the lone loss being to top 5 Syracuse.  They bounced back to beat Oklahoma State and St. Bonaventure in what was a potential trap game.  Minnesota has also been playing pretty well, with solid wins over mid-majors Fairfield and Indiana State.  Unfortunately, they lost their best player, Trevor Mbakwe, for the season, and lost by double digits to Dayton.  This is a tough game to call - I think the fact that the young players for Virginia Tech are playing their first true road game of the year will prove to be a little too much to overcome.
Pick: Minnesota

Wake Forest at Nebraska
9:15 p.m., ESPNU
Wake got a little bit of a boost in their last game, with a win over a power conference team in Texas Tech.  They needed that, after a lopsided loss against an Arizona State squad that is not at all good.  Nebraska is of course a newcomer to the Big Ten.  They have a good win over Southern Cal on the road, and a loss at home to Oregon.  Nebraska will probably finish in the bottom third of the Big Ten, but they should have enough to beat Wake at home.
Pick: Nebraska

Wisconsin at North Carolina
9:30 p.m., ESPN
You can stop the talk of North Carolina going undefeated.  They had a very surprising loss in a virtual road game against UNLV.  The Tar Heels have a lot of talent, but haven't really been able to gel so far.  That being said, I don't expect them to lose to Wisconsin.  Bo Ryan has a solid team once again, but they haven't really been tested.  Their best win so far is against BYU, who doesn't have Jimmer Fredette any more.
Pick: North Carolina

The Big Ten has won the challenge the last two years and it looks like that might continue this year.  Based on my predictions, the Big Ten will win it 8-4.  But you never know - an upset here or there can be a big difference.  One thing is for sure: there are plenty of good games to watch the next couple days!