Projecting the 2010 ACC-Big Ten Challenge

With Wake Forest's 70-65 win over Clemson, and Michigan State's dismantling of Michigan, the ACC and Big Ten hoops regular seasons have come to an end. This, of course, can only mean one thing: we can begin speculating on 2010 ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchups.

I don't know about you but I'm more than eager to turn the page on this year's college basketball season. 

Here is the order of finish for teams in the ACC and the Big Ten, with likely pairings:

1. Duke (13-3) vs. Ohio State (14-4)
2. Maryland vs. Purdue (14-4)
3. Florida State (10-6) vs. Michigan State (14-4)
4. Virginia Tech (10-6) vs. Wisconsin (13-5)
5. Wake Forest (9-7) vs. Illinois (10-8)
   
6. Clemson (9-7) vs. Minnesota (9-9)
7. Georgia Tech (7-9) vs. Northwestern (7-11)
8. Boston College (6-10) vs. Michigan (7-11)
9. Virginia (5-11) vs. Iowa (4-14)
10. North Carolina (5-11) vs. Indiana (4-14)
11. N.C. State (5-11) vs. Penn State (3-15)

So it looks like the Eagles and Wolverines again in 2010. Is there some sort of rematch rule? BC and Michigan will be the only rematch of teams that squared off in the 2009 ACC-Big Ten Challenge. In addition, BC has participated in 4 of these events and have faced the Wolverines in two of these Challenges. This sets up to be the Eagles and Wolverines' third meeting in the event in the last five years.

The other mildly intriguing matchup is North Carolina vs. Indiana. Two programs steeped in college hoops tradition who've both had forgettable 2009-2010 campaigns.

As the Hurricanes finished last in the ACC regular season standings, they will be left out of next year's party. To fill the hole in their schedule, the Canes will likely schedule Florida Gulf Coast and play in front of ~1,000 fans at the BankUnited Center. Either that, or Miami will try to preempt Big Ten expansion by scheduling Rutgers on or around the first week of December.