The 2007 ACC/BigTen Challenge pairings have been released and the Buckeyes have drawn the Tar Heels for the 2nd straight year. Thankfully, this years tilt will take place in the friendly of The Schott. As you recall, the Buckeyes lost to UNC 98-89 in Chapel Hill this past season in what turned about to be their last game without Greg Oden. With Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson already announcing they will return next season, Carolina could come to Columbus ranked #1 in the country. If Oden and Conley shock the world and return to campus this game will be off the chain. Seriously. Oden and Conley may turn pro just to keep Dickie V's heart from exploding.
Comments
Not sure why the Big11Ten continues to do this. Looking at the entire schedule, 4 wins would be a victory for the conference.
Wake @ Iowa
GT @ Indiana
Minn @ FSU
Northwestern @ Virginia
Wisconsin @ Duke
Purdue @ Clemson
NC State @ Mich St
Illinois @ Maryland
BC @ Michigan
UNC @ OSU
VT @ Penn St.
No question ACC is the better basketball conference. I still like the event though. It's better than playing Cleveland State. I'd feel differently if a November loss had any impact on the season but since it doesn't, I like the opportunity the team gets to see where they are and what they need to improve upon early in the season.
I like this event as well, if you are an upper half Big Ten team, this helps prepare you for March Madness. I truley believe the game at UNC last year taught OSU that we could play with anyone in the county. We also have Flordia in the preseason and I think Thad has taken a page out of Tom Izzo's playing schedule, which will only help us in the long run.