Illinois Basketball set to host N.C. State in 2016 ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge

We received another piece of the 2016-17 Illinois basketball schedule on Monday. Game times for the annual ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge were released, and the Fighting Illini are set to face the N.C. State Wolfpack at 8:00pm CT on Tuesday, November 29. The contest will be broadcasted on ESPNU.

While N.C. State had their fair share of struggles last year, this should be great non-conference test for Illinois. The Wolfpack signed two five-star recruits — point guard Dennis Smith and center Omer Yurtseven — to replenish a roster that finished thirteenth in the conference. Luckily for the Fighting Illini, though, standout guard Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber decided to skip his senior year to enter the NBA Draft; his 23.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game will be tough to replace even with the roster’s young talent.

ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge Games

Monday, November 28

Minnesota at Florida State, 6:00pm CT (ESPNU)
Wake Forest at Northwestern, 8:00pm CT (ESPNU)

Tuesday, November 29

Pittsburgh at Maryland, 6:00pm CT (ESPN2)
Georgia Tech at Penn State, 6:00pm CT (ESPNU)
Syracuse at Wisconsin, 6:30pm CT (ESPN)
Iowa at Notre Dame, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
N.C. State at Illinois, 8:00pm CT (ESPNU)
Michigan State at Duke, 8:30pm CT (ESPN)

Wednesday, November 30

Purdue at Louisville, 6:00pm CT (ESPN)
Virginia Tech at Michigan, 6:00pm CT (ESPN2)
Rutgers at Miami, 6:00pm CT (ESPNU)
North Carolina at Indiana, 8:00pm CT (ESPN)
Ohio State at Virginia, 8:00pm CT (ESPN2)
Nebraska at Clemson, 8:00pm CT (ESPNU)

The Big Ten Conference retained bragging rights for the seventh-straight year in 2015 after defeating the ACC, 8-6. Illinois, however, suffered a loss to Notre Dame in the first-ever game at the renovated State Farm Center. The program’s last victory in the showcase came back in 2012, when the Orange and Blue topped Georgia Tech at home.