What’s So Challenging?: Winning four out of five games on its final night, the ACC won its eighth straight ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Big Ten won only three of 11 games during the event’s three days. Wisconsin, Northwestern and Purdue were the only teams to contribute to the win column. But both conferences are looking forward to exciting games this weekend as Georgetown visits the Blue Devils after an ousting by undefeated Oregon and Illinois will face Arizona in Phoenix.
In Wednesday’s action, Boston College’s Jared Dudley led the Eagles with 30 points and 10 rebounds to defeat Michigan State 65-58. Drew Neitzel, the Spartans’ leading scorer, did not score for the first eight minutes of the game, adding only 12 points in Michigan State’s loss. Iowa’s second-half comeback was not enough for a win at Virginia Tech, losing 69-65 while committing 19 turnovers in a sloppy performance. The Hokies held on despite making only 16 of 32 free throws, led by Zabian Dowdell with 18 points.
In a close game in West Lafayette, Purdue’s Tarrance Crump hit a last second floater against Virginia to give the Boilermakers the only Big Ten win of the night. Clemson took care of Minnesota in a 90-68 rout, keeping the Tigers perfect on the season. Reserves were the key for Clemson, outscoring the Gophers’ bench 40-5. K.C. Rivers led the team with 22 points.
The most anticipated game of the challenge lived up to the hype with No.6 North Carolina upsetting No.1 Ohio State 98-89. With standout freshman Greg Oden on the bench for the Buckeyes, super soph Tyler Hansbrough took over down low for the Tar Heels with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Wayne Ellington added 19 points for the Tar Heels, 17 of them coming in the second half, coincidently on the freshman’s 19th birthday.
[11/30/06]
