Predicting each matchup in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge
The inaugural ACC/SEC challenge begins on Tuesday and will feature 14 college basketball matchups across two days as these two conferences fight for supremacy just before the calendar flips to December.
15 years ago, an ACC/SEC Challenge would have been incredibly one-sided, with Kentucky likely being the only SEC school expected to win over powerhouse ACC teams like Duke and North Carolina.
However, the recent rise of programs like Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State actually gives the SEC the edge - with the ACC ranked as the worst Power-6 conference so far this season, according to KenPom.
Still, there is no reason to assume the SEC will run away with this challenge, and in fact, it could come right down to the last few games to determine the winning conference.
Matchups include, of course, Kentucky and Miami, who will face off on Tuesday evening at Rupp Arena, as well as Tennessee at North Carolina, Duke at Arkansas, and Texas A&M at Virginia.
Here's a look at each of the 14 matchups (only Louisville in the 15-team ACC was excluded) and our prediction for who will win each contest and the overall challenge:
Tuesday, November 28 (7 Games)
Mississippi State at Georgia Tech (7:00 PM on ACC Network)
Prediction: Mississippi State
Notre Dame at South Carolina (7:00 PM on SEC Network)
Prediction: South Carolina
LSU at Syracuse (7:00 PM on ESPN2)
Prediction: Syracuse
Miami at Kentucky (7:30 PM on ESPN)
Prediction: Kentucky
Mizzou at Pitt (7:30 PM on ESPNU)
Prediction: Pitt
NC State at Ole Miss (9:00 PM on ESPN2)
Prediction: NC State
Clemson at Alabama (9:30 on ESPN)
Prediction: Alabama
Wednesday, November 29 (7 Games)
Tennessee at North Carolina (7:15 PM on ESPN)
Prediction: North Carolina
Texas A&M at Virginia (7:15 PM on ESPN2)
Prediction: Virginia
Florida at Wake Forest (7:15 PM on ESPNU)
Prediction: Florida
Duke at Arkansas (9:15 PM on ESPN)
Prediction: Duke
Boston College at Vanderbilt (9:15 PM on SEC Network)
Prediction: Vanderbilt
Georgia at Florida State (9:15 PM on ACC Network)
Prediction: Florida State
Virginia Tech at Auburn (9:15 PM on ESPN2)
Prediction: Auburn
Total Prediction: 7-7
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