College basketball games of the week: Big Ten/ACC Challenge offers potential Final Four preview

As December begins, the Big Ten-ACC Challenge takes center stage as college basketball’s marquee event of the week.

It’s officially December, and that means the holidays are closing in. College basketball is already celebrating by ramping up the action, headlined this week with the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. This event sees the two power conferences square off in non-conference action, creating a ton of marquee matchups that are must-see television for basketball enthusiasts. Let’s start right there with the first matchup between Michigan and Louisville.

Michigan (7-0) at Louisville (7-0)-Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

This game has picked up a ton of steam thanks to the red hot Wolverines, who made a statement at the Battle 4 Atlantis by toppling North Carolina and Gonzaga to win the crown. Michigan’s reward is a trip to Louisville to take on the unbeaten Cardinals, who haven’t faced a team as good as Michigan to date.

Duke (7-1) at Michigan State (6-2)-Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

This game is a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight matchup, where the Spartans ended Zion Williamson‘s college career in Washington. Both teams enter this one off disappointing weeks, with Michigan State losing to Virginia Tech in their opener at the Maui Invitational while Duke suffered a rare home non-conference loss to Stephen F. Austin.

Notre Dame (6-1) at Maryland (8-0)-Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

The next big game from the Big Ten-ACC Challenge sees Notre Dame travel to College Park to take on the Terrapins. The Fighting Irish have won six straight since dropping their season opener to North Carolina while Maryland is poised to challenge Michigan State for Big Ten supremacy.

Texas Tech (5-2) at DePaul (8-0)-Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1

Our first non-Big Ten-ACC game features an intriguing matchup between Texas Tech and Depaul. The Red Raiders have lost two straight and have a tricky trip to Chicago to take on a rising Blue Demons team that is 8-0 with wins over three power conference squads already this season.

Ohio State (7-0) at North Carolina (6-1)-Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Our last Big Ten-ACC challenge game features two more title threats as the undefeated Buckeyes head to Chapel Hill to take on the 6-1 Tar Heels. This game has plenty of star power as Kaleb Wesson will look to lead Ohio State past star freshman Cole Anthony and his Tar Heel teammates.

Duke (7-1) at Virginia Tech (6-2)-Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network

This is the second Duke game of the week to make the list and is also their first ACC action of the year, with the Blue Devils hitting the road to take on upstart Virginia Tech. Despite being predicted to be one of the worst teams in the conference this season, the Hokies have raced out to a 6-2 start with an upset win over Michigan State in Maui under their belts.

Arizona (9-0) at Baylor (5-1)-Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU

The Wildcats are back on track after missing the tournament last year, and they will look to continue bolstering their resume with a non-conference win at Baylor. The Bears are one of the Big 12’s best teams and are coming off a nine-point win over No. 17 Villanova last week.

Florida (6-2) at Butler (7-0)-Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX

Florida began the year as a top-10 team, but early losses to Florida State and UConn caused them to fall in the polls. They will have an opportunity to keep climbing back up in this road game against undefeated Butler, who feature one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, surrendering just 55.1 points per game.

Colorado (6-0) at Kansas (6-1)-Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2

The Pac-12’s best team may well be Colorado, which is undefeated over its first six games and will look to secure the crown jewel of non-conference victories: a road win at Allen Fieldhouse over Kansas. The Jayhawks have recovered nicely from a turnover-filled loss to Duke in New York by ripping off six straight wins, capping the stretch with a title at the Maui Invitational last week.

North Carolina (6-1) at Virginia (7-0)-Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network

This is a matchup worthy of being played in the heart of conference play in February, so the fact we’re getting North Carolina-Virginia in December is a treat. We’ve already hit on the Tar Heels, so let’s focus on Virginia, which is having trouble scoring but is making up for it with the nation’s best defense, surrendering only 40.1 points per game to lead the country.

Gonzaga (8-1) at Washington (5-1)-Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Let’s shine the spotlight here on an in-state rivalry between Gonzaga and Washington. The Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after losing to Michigan in the final of the Battle 4 Atlantis while Washington could use this game as a signature non-conference victory for their resume.

Mid-Major Game of the Week: Dayton (5-1) at Saint Mary’s (7-1)-Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU

This week’s mid-major spotlight takes place in Phoenix, as Dayton and Saint Mary’s square off in the Air Force Reserve Jerry Colangelo Classic. The Flyers put themselves on the map with a strong showing in Maui, and they feature a star in sophomore forward Obi Toppin, who is averaging 23 points per game and 8.3 rebounds a night for Dayton. Saint Mary’s has a star of their own in Jordan Ford, who drops in 21.5 points a night, and are fresh off a win over fellow elite mid-major Utah State last Saturday.

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