Huge Day for basketball and outside of the holiday tournaments, the ACC/Big 10 Challenge is one of the most fierce rivalries in basketball. With Wisconsin and Maryland losing yesterday, the Big 10 is down 0-2. Luckily there is a huge day for basketball today with a full slate of games starting at 6 PM CT.
Florida State (5-0) at Rutgers (6-0)
Neither team has had a standout win this year. Florida has a high powered offense scoring 91 points per game. Rutgers has a stout defense allowing only 47 points per game. Florida State plays at a much higher pace, averaging about 10 more possessions a game. However, Rutgers ranks 5th in the nation for turn over percentage averaging 11 turnover per hundred possessions, so at their pace, less than 10 a game. Both teams are going to try and control the pace of the game. But Rutgers will be unable to keep up with Florida State. Florida State wins 79-70.
Tip-off: 6 PM CT
Line: Florida State -4.5 over Rutgers
Northwestern (4-2) at Georgia Tech (3-1)
Northwestern has not done well against good competition. Northwestern was blown out by Texas Tech and lost to Creighton 92-88. Georgia Tech isn’t much better off, losing to UCLA to start the season. Georgia Tech is without start Josh Okogie who has been suspended since the beginning of the season. Georgia Tech wins a nail biter, 74-73.
Tip-off: 6 PM CT
Line: Over 128.5
#17 Louisville (4-0) at Purdue (5-2)
Purdue is coming off a terrible showing in the Battle for Atlantis, beating then (now unranked) Arizona for 7th place. Despite losing Rick Pitino, to violations, Louisville has started off strong. Purdue should be able to bounce back at home against their rival across the border. Purdue should play like a ranked team and stay competitive, Purdue wins 82-75.
Tip-off: 7 PM CT
Line: Louisville +8.5 over Purdue
Illinois (6-0) at Wake Forest (2-4)
Illinois has yet to be tested, but are 6-0 to start the Brad Underwood era of Illinois basketball. Wake Forest has struggled early dropping the first 3 games of the season to non-P5 schools, losing by double digits to Liberty. Illinois ranks 29th in the nation in offensive pace, at 77.3 possessions per 40 minutes, while the Demon Deacons rank 315th at 66.9 possessions per 40 minutes. If Illinois can force turnovers and push the pace, the Illini should be able to secure a win for the Big 10. Illini win 89-83.
Tip-off: 8 PM CT
Line: Illinois ML +120
Iowa (4-2) at Virginia Tech (5-1)
Iowa didn’t do well during the holiday tournament in the Cayman Islands, losing to UL-Lafayette and South Dakota State. Virginia Tech has outscored teams by 30, and lost to St. Louis in the 2K Classic in the Big Apple at MSG. Iowa has to come out strong to beat the past of Virginia Tech, who rank 9th in the country at 80 possessions per 40 minutes. Virginia also leads the nation in scoring (102 ppg) and effective FG percentage (67.7%). Tough game for Iowa, the Hawkeyes lose 90-75.
Tip-off: 8 PM CT
Line: Virginia Tech -8 over Iowa or the Over if you can get it under 165 points.
College Football - Big Ten | The Final Snap 