Florida State could determine which conference wins the Big Ten vs. ACC Challenge in men’s basketball on Wednesday. The Seminoles play in one of the final three games of the 14-game, made-for-TV event that seeks to unofficially determine which conference is the best. FSU squares off against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa with tip-off around 9:15 p.m.
After the first two nights of the challenge, the conferences are tied at 4-4. The No. 21 Miami Hurricanes helped the ACC’s cause with a gritty, 77-72 overtime win on the road at Nebraska on Tuesday night.
Davon Reed’s three-pointer gave Miami the lead in overtime and the Hurricanes made it stand up for their sixth victory against one loss. Angel Rodriguez led Miami with 15 points.
Florida State faces an Iowa team that is 4-2, with losses to Dayton and No. 17 Notre Dame. In their last game, the Hawkeyes blew out then-No. 20 Wichita State, 84-61 in Orlando.
The Seminoles come in with a 4-2 record, but have not played for more than a week since they defeated the Ohio Bobcats in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. FSU and their talented freshman duo of Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley will find a hostile Iowa crowd awaiting them.
Tonight’s contest represents Florida State’s first true road game. It will be a “blackout” game with Iowa urging all of their fans to wear black. Such an atmosphere should provide valuable experience for upcoming visits to packed ACC arenas beginning in January.
While Florida State vs. Iowa could determine who wins the challenge, two other games will be going on simultaneously. No. 17 Notre Dame will be playing at Illinois while No. 7 Duke welcomes Indiana to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The early Wednesday games feature Louisville at No. 3 Michigan State; Wisconsin at Syracuse; and Penn State at Boston College.
ACC fans are looking for a breakthrough. The last time they won the challenge was 2008, while there were ties in 2012 and 2013. The Big 10 won last year’s challenge, 8-6.
