Ohio State And Duke Paired Again For ACC-Big Ten Challenge

Duke will get a chance to avenge a lopsided loss to Ohio State as the Blue Devils host the Buckeyes in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wed., Nov. 28, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.

Exact game times for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge will be set at a later date, but the OSU-Duke match-up is almost certain to air in a prime spot on ESPN.Ohio State took an 85-63 win over Duke in a Challenge match-up on Nov. 29 at Value City Arena. That game matched up No. 2-ranked Ohio State with No. 3 Duke in arguably the biggest nonconference game in the 14-year history of VCA.

Duke has four starters back from a 27-7 team that fizzled down the stretch with three losses in its last four games. The capper was a 75-70 loss to 15th-seeded Lehigh in an NCAA second-round tournament game – in Greensboro, N.C., no less. That was certainly an early exit for a Duke program just two years removed from its latest national title under Mike Krzyzewski.

Guard Austin Rivers is leaving Durham after one year for the NBA. But 6'10" Mason Plumlee (11.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg) will be back for his senior year.

Also returning are guard Seth Curry (13.2 ppg), forward Ryan Kelly (11.8 ppg) and guards Andre Dawkins (8.4 ppg), Quinn Cook and Tyler Thornton. Duke also adds shooting guard Rasheed Sulaimon (ranked 11th nationally).

Ohio State has three starters back from its 31-8 team that won a share of the Big Ten title and reached the Final Four. The Buckeyes lost guard William Buford to graduation and saw center Jared Sullinger leave early for the NBA.

Wing Deshaun Thomas (15.9 ppg) announced he would be back. Thomas averaged just under 20 points per game in OSU’s Final Four run and could be poised for a big year. Guards Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. also return. OSU coach Thad Matta will ask sophs-to-be Sam Thompson, LaQuinton Ross, Shannon Scott and 6'11" Amir Williams to step up and fill the voids.

Ohio State vs. Florida State - Game Notes

- First things first, great victory for the Buckeyes. Florida State is not ranked, but they are a very tough team to play against. They remind me a lot of Cavs teams from 2-3 years ago, under former head coach Mike Brown. Very, very tough defense, but incompetent at times on the offensive end. They have a lot of big men, and a lot of tall wing players, but the lack of a true point guard hurts them, and can stall movement.

He did very well last night

- When he plays aggressively, Chris Singleton is one of the better players in the ACC. He is already a game changer on defense. He had plenty of blocks, and even had a steal against Aaron Craft. Fran Fraschilla made a point during the broadcast of how the Ohio State big men play into contact, while the FSU big men avoid it. If Singleton can learn to embrace the contact on offense, you will see this guy in the NBA (lockouts pending).

- I would like to single out a player or two after every game that really impressed me, but I have a feeling that will be very difficult this season. I am impressed by every player on this team almost every time they play. I will try to be brief for each guy, so join me after the break:

Ohio State - Florida State Preview

Seminoles are up next

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving, but it is back to business now for the basketball Buckeyes. And it is everybody's favorite time of year, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge! What's that, you are an Ohio State fan, don't really care about basketball, and haven't followed the team much, but since football season just ended you figured you would watch a couple of games? Well, lucky for you I have decided to take a break from my usual after-work routine (Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and sleep) to give you an idea of what to expect.

The Big Ten won the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the very first time last season, after a decade of futility. This year's Challenge looks to be very competitive as well, with games like Michigan State vs. Duke, North Carolina @ Illinois, and our very own Buckeyes playing on the road at Florida State. The Seminoles are a respectable 5-1 in this young season, but have only really played one quality opponent. That opponent was the Florida Gators, and that game also happens to be FSU's only loss.

Let's look at some starting lineups: