As fans of ACC and Big Ten hoops, respectively, we are here to predict the scores for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge starting tonight. The fourteen game challenge continues a tradition every college basketball season with the ACC holding an 11-5-2 lead over the Big Ten. Last year, the ACC snapped a two year losing streak with a definitive 9 to 5 victory in overall matches.

MONDAY

Maryland Terrapins at Syracuse Orange (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Eliot: Syracuse, 65-64. This will undoubtedly be a scrappy matchup, as both teams losing NBA caliber players has left room open for leaders. However, the Cuse will get the job done in the Carrier Dome in a low scoring affair.

Jack:  Syracuse, 75-58 Maryland losing Melo Trimble and Diamond Stone have had some trouble with close games and even a loss to many mid major schools. Syracuse is unbeaten led by Frank Howard who is averaging 15 points, 3 rebounds,and 5 assists.

Wisconsin Badgers at Virginia Cavaliers (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Eliot: Virginia, 74-69. Wisconsin, though facing ranked opposition early on this season, will not contain Kyle Guy (50% 3pt range) and the Cavs on the road.

Jack: Wisconsin, 53-49. Wisconsin  returns star Ethan Happ who has averaged over 14 points a game. The Cavaliers return many starters including sharpshooter, Kyle Guy. Wisconsin will cause an upset in Virginia.

TUESDAY

Northwestern Wildcats at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Eliot: Georgia Tech, 68-62. Last year, I would’ve confidently picked Northwestern in this matchup, but starting this season with a horrible loss to Texas Tech has me thinking otherwise. Ben Lammers will lead the Jackets in both points and rebounds, solidifying a win.

Jack: Georgia Tech, 63-54. The Northwestern Wildcats have started off very bumpy with two losses after their first ever March madness appearance last year. Georgia Tech with only one loss against ranked UCLA. The Yellow Jackets are sleepers in the ACC; watch out for them coming on strong towards the end of the season.

Florida State Seminoles at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Jack: Rutgers, 88-83. Both teams come into this match up undefeated. Both teams have played solid so far, yet having played many unranked and unchallenging opponents. This game will demonstrate each team’s true  potential against Power Conference teams.

Eliot: Rutgers, 75-62. Hearing the words “Rutgers Basketball” equates to record-low attendances and bad team chemistry in my mind, but this year the Scarlet Knights are showing the country they aren’t trash anymore. With no more Francis Bacon, I can’t see the Seminoles getting the job done on the road.

Louisville Cardinals at Purdue Boilermakers (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Jack: Purdue, 88-69. As an avid Purdue Boilermaker fan, I may be biased when I say this, but Purdue is winning the national championship. Losing two games in the Bahamas is only a minor setback. On the contrary, Louisville Cardinals lost their coach Rick “cheater” Pitino due to many scandals and are slowly going to slip out of the rankings. Watch for Carsen “c-boog” Edwards to shoot lights out. The Boilers are seeking vengeance from a poor showing in the Bahamas

Eliot: Purdue, 74-59. Let me first  say that the FBI’s search FINALLY revealed the scum that has been building up in this Louisville Cardinal athletic program for decades. Without Rick Pitino and any leadership, Carsen Edwards will abuse the Louisville defense and put up numbers.

Illinois Fighting Illini at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Jack: Illinois, 89-72. The fighting Illini started off very strong with demanding victories scoring over 75 points a game. Wake Forest has been off to a rough start and will continue to struggle. The Illini are avery athletic team, with plenty of length and speed

Eliot: Wake Forest, 71-70. Wake has had a very rough start, but as the team builds chemistry with freshman Chaundee Brown, the Deacs will surprise the 6-0 Illini. Guard Bryant Crawford and  7’2” Center Doral Moore will need to connect for the Deacs to do the job at home.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Virginia Tech Hokies (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Jack: Virginia Tech, 89-82. The Hokies are coming off of a 3 win streak after a freak loss to SLU. They have put up lots of points yet playing mid major teams. The Iowa Hawkeyes ended the season on a high, but have had trouble early. I expect the Hokies and Hawkeyes to keep it tight by playing physical and fast.

Eliot: Virginia Tech, 91-78. Tech has been a scoring machine this year, putting up triple digits several times. Though Bibbs will have a good night, four other players average double digits and will likely contribute against a weak Iowa defense, allowing teams including UAB, South Dakota State, and LA-Lafayette to put up 80+ points.

WEDNESDAY

Penn State Nittany Lions at NC State Wolfpack (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Jack: NC State, 85-79. NC State has played well through the first games being one of three teams to knock out Arizona despite two losses in the Bahamas

Eliot: The loss of Dennis Smith Jr. was impactful for the young team, but the hiring of Kevin Keatts has proven to be an adequate substitution. The Wolfpack will be a dangerous contender in the ACC this year, and I believe they have enough firepower to fend off a mediocre Penn State team.

Clemson Tigers at Ohio State Buckeyes (7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Jack: Clemson, 56-50, Ohio State starting off strong with only one loss. The Tigers are wanting to get a win at Ohio State. The Tigers were great last season ending up in the round of  64.

Eliot: Ohio State, 64-61. Ohio State, coming off a close loss to Butler, will likely rebound at home against Clemson this Wednesday. Though KenPom has Ohio State 18 spots higher in the rankings, I believe the home court advantage will provide help against the Tigers, who have faced no real competition thus far.

Michigan Wolverines at North Carolina Tar Heels (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Jack: Tar heels, 80-68. The Tar Heels started off bumpy with bad loss to Michigan State. They are looking to get revenge on fellow Michigan team. The Wolverines behind beast Mo Wagner. Look for a 20 points or  plus game for him.

Eliot: Michigan, 73-68. This is a gutsy call, but I can see the Tar Heels falling to Michigan, a team that made an unexpected run in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and is led by the 7’ German, Moritz Wagner. This game could very potentially go into OT, but I will lock this game in as my upset alert.

Boston College Eagles at Nebraska Cornhuskers (9 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Jack: BC, 71-62. Boston College will go into the raucous environment of the “barn” and show the Cornhuskers. The Eagles only have a lost to ranked Texas Tech. They should be able to put this one away with ease.

Eliot: Boston College, 69-62. Boston College has already dropped two losses this year, but it would not surprise me to see Ty Bowman, the red haired sophomore guard, to record an impressive stat line. Nebraska will NEED to grab a greater of boards in order to stay in this game, as their leading rebounder only averages 6.4 per game.

Miami Hurricanes at Minnesota Golden Gophers (9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Jack: Miami, 94-74. The Gophers look great so far. They are being predicted as to push Purdue and Michigan State in the Big Ten. They are not a match for the Hurricanes. Miami needs to get a turnover chain for the basketball team. The Hurricanes fly around the court like Hurricanes with great energy.

Eliot: Miami, 87-84. I love Richard Pitino’s team this year, but unfortunately the Golden Gophers likely won’t be playing only three Miami players, like they did against Alabama. Miami needs to hit free throws (57% thus far this season), but I am confident they will win in Minneapolis.