The ACC-Big Ten Challenge came to an end on Wednesday night, and two top-10 teams took over the headlines of the contest with impressive wins. First, the Michigan Wolverines continued to climb in to the eyes of everyone in the college basketball world quickly, pulling away from No. 11 North Carolina, 84-67. Freshman Ignas Brazdeikis led the way with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, as the seventh-ranked Wolverines shot 57 percent from the floor and improved to 7-0 on the season, including 4-0 on their home floor. Charles Matthews added 21 points and seven rebounds, as this win helped the Big Ten clinch the challenge victory over the ACC.
The Wolverines also made half of their shots from three-point range, as they outscored the Tar Heels by 13 in the second half to pull away quickly. Jordan Poole led the second half charge by scoring 15 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes, as they shut down a previously powerful North Carolina offense. The Tar Heels came in to play averaging 96.6 points per game, but they ran in to a Michigan defense that has allowed just 48.3 points per game. They say defense wins championships, which is probably why the Wolverines rolled in another statement win, as they also beat up on the defending champion, Villanova Wildcats, a couple weeks ago.
Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Virginia came away with a road victory for the ACC, topping No. 24 Maryland, 76-71. Kyle Guy led the Cavaliers with 18 points, as they used their three-point shooting to overcome the Terrapins' hot shooting overall. Maryland made 54 percent of their shots in the loss, but Virginia shot 45 percent from beyond the arc. The key for the Cavaliers were the extra opportunities they created by forcing 14 Maryland turnovers, compared to just two on their end.
Virginia shot 10-of-22 from three-point range in the win, including five three-pointers from Guy, while De'Andre Hunter scored 15 in their seventh win, and first on the road. The loss for Maryland is their first of the season, coming right as they will begin Big Ten play this weekend. They did out-rebound the Cavaliers, 35-23, but that was not enough to overcome their struggles with ball handling. Bruce Fernando had 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Anthony Cowan Jr. led their scoring with 15 in the loss. They will open up Big Ten play against Penn State on Saturday, while the Cavailers will host Morgan State on Monday night.
The Wolverines also made half of their shots from three-point range, as they outscored the Tar Heels by 13 in the second half to pull away quickly. Jordan Poole led the second half charge by scoring 15 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes, as they shut down a previously powerful North Carolina offense. The Tar Heels came in to play averaging 96.6 points per game, but they ran in to a Michigan defense that has allowed just 48.3 points per game. They say defense wins championships, which is probably why the Wolverines rolled in another statement win, as they also beat up on the defending champion, Villanova Wildcats, a couple weeks ago.
Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Virginia came away with a road victory for the ACC, topping No. 24 Maryland, 76-71. Kyle Guy led the Cavaliers with 18 points, as they used their three-point shooting to overcome the Terrapins' hot shooting overall. Maryland made 54 percent of their shots in the loss, but Virginia shot 45 percent from beyond the arc. The key for the Cavaliers were the extra opportunities they created by forcing 14 Maryland turnovers, compared to just two on their end.
Virginia shot 10-of-22 from three-point range in the win, including five three-pointers from Guy, while De'Andre Hunter scored 15 in their seventh win, and first on the road. The loss for Maryland is their first of the season, coming right as they will begin Big Ten play this weekend. They did out-rebound the Cavaliers, 35-23, but that was not enough to overcome their struggles with ball handling. Bruce Fernando had 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Anthony Cowan Jr. led their scoring with 15 in the loss. They will open up Big Ten play against Penn State on Saturday, while the Cavailers will host Morgan State on Monday night.
