ACC / Big 10 Challenge: Who wins?

Maybe this is normal.  There sure has been great interest in the 2009 ACC/Big 10 Challenge.  So the question is, who wins?  Before you answer, consider that the Big 10 has never won this event.  There are 11 games and the ACC has managed to win at least six every year since the series began.  Is 2009 different?  I’d have to say … yes.

Here is a matchup of each pairing and who has the EDGE:

• Virginia @ Penn State  |  EDGE: Penn State (slight)
• Maryland @ Indiana    |  EDGE: Maryland (moderate)
• Michigan State @ North Carolina  |  EDGE: Michigan State (slight)
• Northwestern @ NC State  |  EDGE: NC State (slight)
• Virginia Tech @ Iowa  | EDGE: Va. Tech (slight)
• Wake Forest @ Purdue  |  EDGE: Purdue (moderate)
• Boston College @ Michigan  |  EDGE: Michigan (moderate)
• Duke @ Wisconsin  |  EDGE: Duke (moderate)
• Florida State @ Ohio State  |  EDGE:  Ohio State (moderate)
• Illinois @ Clemson  |  EDGE: Clemson (slight)
• Minnesota @ Miami-FL  |  EDGE:  Minnesota (slight)

ATR: Tech, Irish and updates …

Mike Singletary of  Texas Tech scored 29 straight points in the second half to help Texas Tech rally and upset Texas A&M in the Big 12’s opening round late last night.  How does the loss affect A&M?  Right now, the Aggies’ non-conference wins over LSU and Arizona, combined with league wins over Missouri and Oklahoma State (split with OSU) are helping – as is an RPI of 34.  However, losing so early (when not a lock) could prove costly.  The picture will be more clear after quarterfinals today in the Big East, Mountain West, and Pac-10, and opening rounds in the Big Ten and ACC.  Several other potential bubble teams play.  If they all keep winning, resume comparisons change.

Also of note last night … Portland State (Big Sky) and Robert Morris (NEC) punched dance cards.

Several key games ahead today … please check Schedule to see the list.

Notre Dame officially says goodbye to the NCAAs and hello to the NIT.  The Irish had to beat West Virginia.  The Big 10 will be especially noteworthy today.  Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan, and Penn State (all bubble teams) play opening round games.  Northwestern and Penn State are most at risk.  Minnesota will be sweating, too, if they lose to Northwestern in the 8-9 game.  In the Mountain West, the UNLV-San Diego State game is likely an elimination.  The game is on the Rebels’ home floor.

The latest bracket projection will be updated today (later) – as will Bubble Banter.  Thanks, and as always – Send a Rebound:  Dave the Bracketguy.

20 things we’ve learned in 2008 …

We’ve completed the 2008 part of the ‘08-’09 NCAA men’s basketball schedule.  Before we look forward, let’s look back and see 20 things we’ve learned through the first two months.     

We’ve learned …

1)  North Carolina is strong as advertised.  The Tar Heels’ depth and talent puts them on a level by themselves – as any “eye test” proves.  So, yes, UNC is still the favorite to win it all.

2) Less than we should about teams like … Illinois State (No. 273 SOS), Wake Forest (No. 278), Baylor (No. 236), Texas A & M (No. 215), Creighton (No. 268), Penn State (No. 293), Stanford (No. 187), Southern Cal (No. 170), and even Notre Dame (No. 201).  We’re not saying the Irish can’t contend in the top half of the Big East, we’ve just seen nothing to suggest they won’t be middle of the pack.  If you break down the Irish, they are 1-2 (Texas, North Carolina, Ohio State) against teams ranked under 100 in the RPI.  Now, beating Texas counts for a lot and the ND can score with anyone (if the 3s are falling).  But can they defend?

Is the Big 10 making a comeback?

Well, it’s still too early to tell.  What we do know heading into the season’s second weekend is this … no Big 10 team has lost – yet (Michigan plays Duke tonight, 11/21).  Of course, no one thought the Wolverines would upend UCLA in the 2K Sports Classic semifinals.  In another early-season matchup of power conferences, Illinois ended Vanderbilt’s 20-game home winning streak on Thursday.  We know that Purdue,