University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Virginia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
5/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Gophers are set to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in the fourth annual ACC/Big Ten Women’s Basketball Challenge. The game will take place on Thursday, Dec. 2, at Williams Arena. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference announced the pairings for the Challenge on Monday.
The Challenge will take place Wednesday, Dec. 1, and Thursday, Dec. 2., with game times and television coverage to be announced later. Big Ten champion Ohio State will face Virginia, and ACC champion Duke will play at Wisconsin on Dec. 2.
The Big Ten and ACC have consistently been among the top conferences in women’s basketball. In the 2009-10 season, the ACC sent six teams to the NCAA Tournament, while the Big Ten sent four. Duke and Florida State advanced to the Elite Eight, giving the ACC at least one team in the Elite Eight for the ninth straight year. Overall, the ACC has made 14 trips to the Final Four, including four in the last five years.
No Big Ten teams advanced past the second round last year. In the past, the Big Ten has sent at least one team to the Sweet 16 in 24 of the last 26 years. At least one Big Ten team has participated in five of the last 12 Final Fours. Overall, the Big Ten has eight Final Four appearances.
The Gophers are 1-2 in past Challenge appearances, losing 66-45 at Maryland in 2009. The ACC has won all three Challenges so far, including a 7-4 win in 2009. Historically, Minnesota is 1-1 against Virginia Tech.
2010 CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 1
Wake Forest at Michigan
Michigan State at Florida State
Northwestern at Georgia Tech
NC State at Illinois
Thursday, December 2
Duke at Wisconsin
Iowa at North Carolina
Penn State at Boston College
Virginia at Ohio Sate
Maryland at Purdue
Indiana at Clemson
Virginia Tech at Minnesota
The Challenge will take place Wednesday, Dec. 1, and Thursday, Dec. 2., with game times and television coverage to be announced later. Big Ten champion Ohio State will face Virginia, and ACC champion Duke will play at Wisconsin on Dec. 2.
The Big Ten and ACC have consistently been among the top conferences in women’s basketball. In the 2009-10 season, the ACC sent six teams to the NCAA Tournament, while the Big Ten sent four. Duke and Florida State advanced to the Elite Eight, giving the ACC at least one team in the Elite Eight for the ninth straight year. Overall, the ACC has made 14 trips to the Final Four, including four in the last five years.
No Big Ten teams advanced past the second round last year. In the past, the Big Ten has sent at least one team to the Sweet 16 in 24 of the last 26 years. At least one Big Ten team has participated in five of the last 12 Final Fours. Overall, the Big Ten has eight Final Four appearances.
The Gophers are 1-2 in past Challenge appearances, losing 66-45 at Maryland in 2009. The ACC has won all three Challenges so far, including a 7-4 win in 2009. Historically, Minnesota is 1-1 against Virginia Tech.
2010 CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 1
Wake Forest at Michigan
Michigan State at Florida State
Northwestern at Georgia Tech
NC State at Illinois
Thursday, December 2
Duke at Wisconsin
Iowa at North Carolina
Penn State at Boston College
Virginia at Ohio Sate
Maryland at Purdue
Indiana at Clemson
Virginia Tech at Minnesota
Coming Home: Carlie Wagner Olstad
Monday, February 23
Highlights: Gophers 61, Michigan State 75
Sunday, February 22
Cinematic Recap: #23 Gophers-#10 Buckeyes
Friday, February 20
Postgame Reaction: Gophers Top #10 OSU
Wednesday, February 18