On Friday, the ACC announced matchups for the 2022 ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and Virginia Tech will host Minnesota on Monday, Nov. 28. All games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks.
The Hokies and Golden Gophers have only met once previously, back in Nov. 2011 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Despite a game-high 25 points from Tech guard Erick Green, Minnesota had VT’s number in Minneapolis, winning 58-55.
VT is 6-9 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge but has won three of its last five appearances. Behind a double-double (17 points, 12 rebounds) from Keve Aluma in December, the Hokies defeated Maryland, 62-58, in College Park in last year’s competition.
The reigning ACC Tournament champions will host a Minnesota squad that struggled last season. After a 10-1 start in 2021-22, the Golden Gophers won just three of their remaining 19 games, finishing 13-17 (4-16 Big Ten). They ended the year at No. 109 in both KenPom and the NET.
Minnesota is 12-11 all-time in the challenge and beat Pitt by one, 54-53, last November. Virginia Tech is 3-4 at home in the competition and lost to Penn State, 75-55, in Cassell Coliseum in Dec. 2020.
The 2022-23 Non-Conference Schedule
Tech Sideline previewed Virginia Tech’s 2022-23 non-conference schedule on June 17. With the announcement of Minnesota, here’s what the Hokies’ slate looks like:
The Charleston Classic is the lone missing piece to the schedule and should be released this summer. Last year’s bracket was announced on Aug. 11.
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I’m hard pressed to understand how VT, the reigning ACC Champs, get matched up with a B10 bottom feeder.
Since our game is listed first, hopefully we’re the 7 pm game.
I don’t see it as a ho hum match up. Minnesota has a good name, good coach, and possibly a good team. Good match up, should be fun to watch.
Another ho hum match up for VT in this exhibition series.
Wonder if this will end up hurting SOS by end of the year?
Have to win first for it to matter
You have doubts? Haha.