The first real test of the college basketball season will happen Tuesday night when Louisville plays Ohio State in the 16th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. This is a game that both teams have had circled on their schedules since finding out back in the summer they would play. These teams first met in 1953 and last played in 2003. Louisville beat Ohio State in that last game 72-64 in Overtime at Value City Arena in Columbus. The all-time record in this series is tied at 4-4. The ACC–Big Ten Challenge started back in 1999 and the ACC leads the challenge 10-3. It has ended in a tie 3 times.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta has said that early in his career he wanted to emulate Rick Pitino. And Matta has become a pretty good coach in his own right. His team’s play an aggressive style on defense and like to get up and down the floor on offense. Like Louisville Ohio State lost some very good players last season and even lost their version of Russdiculous in Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes’ defensive menace.

Ohio State has a solid group of seniors returning and some talented new comers who will be hungry to make a mends for their first round exit in the NCAA Tourney back in March.
They are led in the front-court by sophomore F Marc Loving (12ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.0 stl) seniors C Amir Williams (8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3blks) C Trey McDonald (5.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 0.8blks) and Temple transfer F Anthony Lee (6.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 0.2stl). They also have two solid freshmen in F Keita Bates-Diop (4.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 0.6blk) and F Jae’Sean Tate (6.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0blk).
They are led in the back-court by Louisville native freshman SG D’Angelo Russell (18.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.4apg) seniors F/G Sam Thompson (12ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.2apg) and G Shannon Scott (9.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 10.4apg). They also get quality minutes from talented freshman G Kam Williams (6.8ppg, 0.2rpg, 0.6apg).

Ohio State is averaging 87 points a game, shooting 56% from the field, 41% from the 3 point line, and 71% from the free throw line. They average 36 rebounds a game, 9 steals per game, 5 blocks per game, and an impressive 19 assist per game. They are averaging 12 turnovers a game while their opponents are averaging 18.8.

2014-15 Kenpom Rankings
Overall- #14
Defense Adjustment Efficiency
-89.6 ranks 17th
Offense Adjustment Efficiency
-106.7 ranks 39th
-Per Kenpom game prediction he has the Cardinals winning the game 72-63 based on his indexes.

This one has all the makings for one of the best games of the early season in college basketball. Ohio State has been better on the offensive side of the ball #2 in the nation in FG%, #10 in the nation in points per game and has really been sharing the ball well currently ranked #6 in the nation in assist. The Cardinals have been much better on the defensive side of the ball #3 in the nation in points allowed, #7 in the nation in steals per game and have been rebounding the ball better currently ranked #1 in the nation in that category. Both of these teams have solid back-courts and are solid on the wings. The big difference is Montrezl Harrell. Ohio State doesn’t have that one star player on their roster that they can turn to when they need a lift.

It will be interesting to see how much production we get from Wayne Blackshear. Will he step up in the first big time game of the season? The Cardinals will also need a solid outing from freshman Onuaku and hopefully Mango will be ready to go from that ankle injury. Ohio State has been getting solid production out of their bench while ours went scoreless in the last game. We will have to get points from the bench Tuesday night.

Ultimately Terry Rozier, Chris Jones and Montrezl will be the difference makers. I also think the home court advantage will be important. This is Ohio State’s first trip away from Columbus. Neither of these teams has played a tough schedule to this point but I do give the slight edge to the Cardinals. This one is going to be a dog fight and will come down to a few key possessions. Our Cardinals will have to come out ready to go and I think they will be up for the challenge.

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 75 Ohio State 68