Wednesday's slate in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge features six total games, including a handful of matchups between teams that could really use victories to jumpstart their 2021-22 seasons as the ACC tries to claw back from a 6-2 deficit in the event. For example, the night's marquee showdown is between No. 24 Michigan and North Carolina, but if the game had been played on college basketball's opening night, it would have been the No. 6 Wolverines playing the No. 17 Tar Heels.
The first three weeks of the season have been unkind to both teams, which only raises the stakes for Wednesday night's showdown at UNC. Some of the other games feature similar plot lines as Virginia Tech will play at Maryland in a battle of squads with two early losses and NC State hosts Nebraska in a battle of overlooked squads.
It's not all doom and gloom, however. One of the season's top early surprises will be in action as No. 23 Wisconsin plays its first true road game against a 5-1 Georgia Tech squad. If the Yellow Jackets can hold serve at home, it would be a nice win for the ACC, which is on the cusp of losing the challenge for a third straight season.
Below are our team's picks as we move into Wednesday.
Wednesday's Big Ten/ACC Challenge schedule
Louisville at No. 22 Michigan State
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET | Location: Breslin Center -- East Lansing, Michigan
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
After serving a six-game suspension, Louisville coach Chris Mack will be on the sideline for the first time this season. The Cardinals are entering off victories against Mississippi State and Maryland. Michigan State's only losses are against top-10 teams Kansas and Baylor, and it has wins against Butler, Loyola (Chicago) and UConn. This will be Michigan State's biggest home game yet and looks like the biggest one for the Spartans until Michigan comes to town on Nov. 29. The home crowd should give them an edge. Prediction: Michigan State 74, Louisville 65
Nebraska at NC State
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET | Location: PNC Arena -- Raleigh, North Carolina
TV: ESPNU | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
It's the first-ever meeting between these two, and they share some similarities. Both have dealt with crushing early-season injuries. Nebraska will be without productive veteran guard Trey McGowens for several weeks because of a broken foot, while NC State lost star big man Manny Bates for the season to a shoulder injury. Neither squad has a quality victory yet, and a win here would bring a hefty dose of momentum as both face uphill climbs toward NCAA Tournament consideration. The Wolfpack aren't great defensively, and Nebraska should be able to keep this one close until the end. Prediction: NC State 79, Nebraska 75
Virginia Tech at Maryland
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET | Location: Xfinity Center -- College Park, Maryland
TV: ESPN2 | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
These former ACC foes will square off for the first time since Maryland left the league after the 2013-14 campaign. Both are expected to be competitive in their respective leagues and be in the mix for at-large NCAA Tournament bids, but both could really use a win. Maryland (5-2) can ill-afford to drop another home game after getting upset by George Mason on Nov. 17. Virginia Tech is entering off two losses by a combined nine-points to Memphis and Xavier in the NIT Season Tip-Off last week. It's a toss-up, but the Terrapins get the nod because of home court advantage. Prediction: Maryland 75, Virginia Tech 72
Miami at Penn State
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET | Location: Bryce Jordan Center -- University Park, Pennsylvania
TV: ESPNU | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Penn State is a mystery team that has a 25-point road loss at UMass on its resume, as well as a 15-point neutral site win over Oregon State. The Beavers also lost in overtime against LSU on a neutral floor. Miami is 4-3, but it was blown out by Alabama, lost by 16 to Dayton and also dropped a home game to UCF. Neither team has a clear identity, but the Nittany Lions have been better the last couple of weeks and should be able to take care of business at home. Prediction: Penn State 81, Miami 70
No. 24 Michigan at North Carolina
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET | Location: Dean E. Smith Center -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
A win here would go a long way toward jumpstarting either team amid some early-season struggles. Both are breaking in a ton of new faces, and for UNC that includes head coach Hubert Davis. Offense has been the biggest issue for the Wolverines, while defense has been a major problem for the Tar Heels. This is Michigan's first true road game this season, and the Dean Dome should be rocking. Expect the Tar Heels to capitalize on that momentum against a Michigan team that may not yet have the cohesion to navigate a tough environment. Prediction: North Carolina 82, Michigan 77
No. 23 Wisconsin at Georgia Tech
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET | Location: McCamish Pavilion -- Atlanta
TV: ESPN2 | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Wisconsin's Maui Invitational title was a shocker considering everything the Badgers lost last season. Stifling defense and the unstoppable play of sophomore guard Jonathan Davis have made the Badgers an early-season surprise. This will be a major uptick in competition for Georgia Tech, whose best victory to date is against a bad Georgia team. Look for the Badgers to limit Yellow Jackets' star Michael Devoe and try to force some of his teammates to step up. Prediction: Wisconsin 73, Georgia Tech 66
Monday's Big Ten/ACC Challenge results
Iowa 75, Virginia 74 -- Recap
Illinois 82, Notre Dame 72 -- Recap
Tuesday's Big Ten/ACC Challenge results
No. 2 Purdue 93, Florida State 65 -- Recap
Syracuse 112, Indiana 110 (OT) -- Recap
Minnesota 54, Pittsburgh 53 -- Recap
Rutgers 74, Clemson 64 -- Recap
Wake Forest 77, Northwestern 73 (OT) -- Recap
Ohio State 71, No. 1 Duke 66 -- Takeaways
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