ACC/Big Ten Challenge: #6 Ohio State at #7 North Carolina preview

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge annually provides college basketball fans with blockbuster matchups of the top teams in the nation, and this year is no exception. The headliner for Wednesday’s action is No. 6 Ohio State and No. 7 North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The undefeated Buckeyes will travel for their first true road game of the season against the 6-1 Tar Heels.

Ohio State at North Carolina, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

North Carolina’s only loss of the season came to then-unranked Michigan. The Wolverines went on to win the Battle 4 Atlantis, which skyrocketed them into the top five in  the AP Poll.

UNC is in the middle of a stretch of games that includes now No. 4 Michigan (lost November 28), No. 13 Oregon (won November 29), No. 5 Virginia (December 8) and No. 9 Gonzaga (December 18).

Anthony is a freshman in name only

The biggest asset for the Tar Heels’ offense is freshman guard Cole Anthony. Anthony is averaging 20.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He made a splash in the college basketball scene when he scored 34 on opening night, in the 76-65 win over Notre Dame. That performance included six three-pointers and 50% shooting (12-for-24) from the field. Anthony, though he was seen in a walking boot after the Oregon game, is expected to play Wednesday night.

North Carolina’s offensive weapons also include junior forward Garrison Brooks, who is averaging 12.9 points and 8.3 rebounds through the first seven games. Brooks averaged 23 minutes last season, the most of any member of the 2019-2020 Tar Heels.

Wesson and Young have been putting up big numbers down low

The Buckeyes side enters Wednesday night’s contest as one of the 19 remaining undefeated teams in the nation. Big men Kaleb Wesson and Kyle Young are leading the charge, and they've combined for 21.6 points, 15.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Wesson, a junior forward, is almost averaging a double-double (12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game).

Defensively, Ohio State has been solid all season, and the Buckeyes have only allowed opponents to shoot 32.9% from the field.

History favors the Tar Heels

The Tar Heels are 12-2 against Ohio State all-time, including seven wins in a row and a 5-0 record under Williams. It will be the Buckeyes' first trip to Chapel Hill since 2006. That meeting was also in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and North Carolina took the 98-89 win.

Chris Holtmann’s undefeated team looks good, but I like North Carolina at home in this one.

Pick: North Carolina -4

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