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ACC/Big Ten Challenge 2022: Men's Scores, Highlights and Reaction from Tuesday

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVNovember 30, 2022

Illinois' Dain Dainja (42) works inside against Syracuse's Jesse Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Dainja was called for an offensive foul. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
AP Photo/Michael Allio

Final bragging rights are at stake in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The ACC announced the event, which dates back to 1999, would end with this season's edition and be replaced by an ACC/SEC Challenge for men's and women's basketball. That could mean fewer marquee nonconference matchups down the line, especially for the Big Ten that doesn't have the SEC as a replacement foe, but there was no shortage of high-profile games in this year's edition.

The ACC jumped out to a quick lead with two wins Monday, but the Big Ten had the opportunity to bounce back with a crowded slate of six games Tuesday.

Here is a look at the results:


Monday's Games

  • Virginia Tech 67, Minnesota 57
  • Pittsburgh 87, Northwestern 58

Tuesday's Games

  • Maryland 79, Louisville 54
  • Clemson 101, Penn State 94 (double OT)
  • Illinois 73, Syracuse 44
  • Iowa 81, Georgia Tech 65
  • Wake Forest 78, Wisconsin 75
  • Virginia 70, Michigan 68

Wednesday's Games

  • Ohio State at Duke, 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Purdue at Florida State, 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Rutgers at Miami, 7:15 p.m. ET
  • North Carolina at Indiana, 9:15 p.m. ET
  • Michigan State at Notre Dame, 9:15 p.m. ET
  • Boston College at Nebraska, 9:15 p.m. ET

Tuesday's early slate of games got off to a perfect start for the Big Ten's comeback hopes after Minnesota lost to Virginia Tech and Northwestern lost to Pittsburgh on Monday.

To the surprise of exactly nobody, Maryland had no trouble dispatching a Louisville team that is a shell of its typically dominant self. The Cardinals are now 0-7 on the season and count losses to Bellarmine, Wright State and Appalachian State on their resume.

An NCAA tournament appearance seems impossible at this point, and the latest loss did nothing to change that.

Donta Scott led the way for the Terrapins with 18 points and five rebounds, while Jahmir Young stuffed the stat sheet in a supporting role with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Maryland wasn't the only Big Ten team to notch a blowout win over a struggling program that is accustomed to playing at a higher level.

Syracuse fell to 3-4 on the season with a loss to Illinois, which pulled away in the second half after a back-and-forth start to the contest. The Fighting Illini set the tone with their defense, forcing 17 turnovers and preventing the Orange from building any type of sustained momentum for a comeback.

Coleman Hawkins posted a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in an impressive performance, helping Illinois improve to 6-1.

The drama in the early slate came in the game between Penn State and Clemson.

It seemed as if the Tigers were going to come away with the home win when Hunter Tyson's triple put them ahead by seven with less than one minute remaining, but they missed four consecutive free throws in the last 40 seconds of regulation and left the door open for a comeback.

Andrew Funk took full advantage with a three-pointer to tie it with five seconds remaining to force overtime, but Clemson bounced back and clinched the win by controlling the second extra period.

Tyson (24 points and nine rebounds) and PJ Hall (22 points) were the driving forces in the offensive explosion that featured a combined 30 points from the home team in the two overtimes.

There were a pair of thrillers on the latter stages of Tuesday's slate as Virginia and Wake Forest each picked up narrow wins.

Hunter Dickinson pulled Michigan back within two of UVA on a layup with seven seconds remaining and Armaan Franklin missed both of his subsequent free throws for the third-ranked Cavaliers, but the Wolverines couldn't take advantage of the opportunity to win or tie the game in the final seconds.

Reece Beekman paced Virginia with 18 points, while Jayden Gardner recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Dickinson led all scorers with 23 points for Michigan.

Wisconsin also had an opportunity to tie Wake Forest in the final seconds, but a three by Chucky Hepburn failed to connect as the Demon Deacons improved their record to 7-1.

Tyree Appleby put together a terrific performance for Wake, tallying 32 points, five assists and four rebounds while playing all 40 minutes. Cameron Hildreth (15 points) and Damari Monsanto (13) also reached double figures in scoring for the winning side.

Hepburn knocked down six three en route to leading the Badgers with 23 points.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge continues with six games on Wednesday night.