Image Courtesy: Rocky Top Insider
November 28
8.Miami (5-0) @ 12.Kentucky (5-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
A big ticket match up comes to your TV screens on Tuesday to help begin the first ever ACC/SEC Challenge. After guard Isaiah Wong left the program, the Hurricanes have picked up the slack at the position by Wooga Poplar (18 points per game), Florida State transfer, Matthew Cleveland (16.8 points per game), and Nijel Pack (16.3 points per game). They will be matched by a tremendous freshmen class for Kentucky, headlined by Rob Dillingham (16 points per game), DJ Wagner (11.8 points per game), and Justin Edwards (10 points per game). However, the Wildcats are led in scoring by veteran Antonio Reeves (18.2 points per game). Both squads are looking for a season defining win to give them momentum into their December schedules. Projected Score: Kentucky 75, Miami 71
NC State (4-1) @ Ole Miss (5-0) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9 PM ET, ESPN2
Former Texas coach Chris Beard has put together Ole Miss’ best roster in recent memory. Auburn transfer Allen Flanigan has exploded during his COVID senior season, averaging over 20 points and 7 rebounds per game. Returner Matthew Morrell (14.4 points and 5 rebounds) joins Flanigan as the leaders on the Rebels. Their opponent in the inaugural ACC-SEC Challenge is NC State, an always improving program under head coach Kevin Keatts. Senior forward DJ Burns has been terrific during his career, continuing his rise this season by averaging over 14 points and 5 rebounds a game. Burns must continue his great play if NC State wants to continue its unbeaten season. Projected Score: NC State 78, Ole Miss 72
Clemson (5-0) @ 23.Alabama (5-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
A huge get back game for Alabama comes as they host Clemson to bounce back from their loss to Ohio State. It will be up to guard Mark Sears (19.5 points per game) and Grant Nelson (13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game) to get the Crimson Tide going again. On the other side, Clemson’s forward PJ Hall, who also scores 19.5 points a game, and guard Joe Girard (12.3 points and 3.5 assists per game) will be instrumental in getting their team the win. A win for the Tigers would set them up well as they head into the final part of nonconference play and a few ACC games in December. Projected Score: Alabama 83, Clemson 76
November 29
14.Texas A&M (6-1) @ Virginia (5-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:15 PM ET, ESPN2
Both Texas A&M and Virginia are known for their tough offensive play and quality defense. The question must be asked: Can Virginia upend a good Texas A&M team? Cavalier guard Reece Beekman must outperform his average of almost 12 points a game if he wants to outduel terrific Aggie guard Wade Taylor IV (18.2 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 steals a game). Without many talented big men, Virginia must match up well with talented Aggie forward Henry Coleman III (15.4 points and 10 rebounds per game). After losing to Florida Atlantic in the ESPN Events Invitational, they are looking for a win to boost their resumé as they get into their December slate. Projected Score: Texas A&M 68, Virginia 62
10.Tennessee (4-2) @ 17.North Carolina (5-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:15 PM ET, ESPN
Tennessee got fourth place in a terrific Maui Invitational field while North Carolina finished third in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Outside of transfer guards Dalton Knecht (17.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game) and Jordan Gainey (11.7 points per game), the Volunteers have to find consistent offensive options out of veteran guards Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Ziegler. North Carolina has been great offensively this season, relying on guards RJ Davis, Cormac Ryan, and forward Harrison Ingram. Star big man Armando Bacot must play better to protect the paint against Tennessee’s Jonas Aidoo (8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game). North Carolina has a tough schedule ahead with the Vols, Connecticut, and Kentucky coming up so a win would do wonders for their resumé. Projected Score: North Carolina 79, Tennessee 75
7.Duke (5-1) @ Arkansas (4-3) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:15 PM ET, ESPN
A rematch of the 1994 National Championship and the 2022 west regional final. The Razorbacks won the title against the Blue Devils while Duke took care of the Razorbacks to move on to the 2022 Final Four. Last week, Arkansas has struggled to find an offensive identity and got fourth place in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, falling to North Carolina by fifteen points in the third place game. The Razorbacks must also improve defensively, as they gave up a big offensive game to Tar Heel point guard RJ Davis. It has been Razorback guard Tramon Mark leading the charge, putting up 25 points against Stanford and 34 against North Carolina. Razorback guards Khalif Battle, Davonte Davis, and forward Trevon Brazile must play better if they want to beat Duke. Duke’s Kyle Filipowski has played great this season, averaging over 18 points and almost 7 rebounds a game. The hogs will also have to deal with fellow Blue Devil forward Mark Mitchell who averages almost 14 points and 7 rebounds a game. This is an important game for Duke to win as they fell to Arizona and did not play in a multiple team event last week. Arkansas must avoid a loss if they do not want to fall to .500 on the season. Projected Score: Duke 89, Arkansas 70
