The 2017 Big Ten vs. ACC Challenge games have been announced, and Illinois’ matchup should carry a certain amount of nostalgia for older fans.
The Fighting Illini will travel to Winston-Salem this Winter to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The last time these two programs met was in December 2004, when No. 3 Illinois crushed Chris Paul and No. 1 Wake Forest in Champaign by a final score of 91-73.
The game’s date, network assignment, and start time will be announced in the future.
#Illini will face Wake for the 3rd time overall and 2nd time in #B1GACC Challenge. Anyone remember that one?
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) June 8, 2017
➡️ https://t.co/7kSQUxQf11 pic.twitter.com/H2bBnby2EC
Last year, Wake Forest went 19-14 (9-9) on the way to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. The Demon Deacons lost to Kansas State in the First Four, however.
John Collins, Wake Forest’s leading scorer, declared for the NBA Draft after averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game during his sophomore season. Even so, The Deacons look to have another NCAA-caliber roster this season with the return of double-digit scorers in Bryant Crawford (16.2 PPG) and Keyshawn Woods (12.5 PPG). The program also adds a recruiting class that includes No. 33 overall prospect Chaundee Brown.
2017 B1G/ACC Challenge Schedule
Illinois at Wake Forest
Northwestern at Georgia Tech
Duke at Indiana
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Miami at Minnesota
Penn State at NC State
Boston College at Nebraska
Michigan at North Carolina
Clemson at Ohio State
Louisville at Purdue
Florida State at Rutgers
Maryland at Syracuse
Wisconsin at Virginia
Iowa at Virginia Tech