The ACC/Big Ten Challenge will be the dominant storyline in college basketball over the next few nights, so might as well put our writers and contributors on the spot with predictions, right? For what it’s worth, the group consensus for each game adds up to a 6-5 Big Ten victory over the ACC. But it’s actually even closer than that. In the highly anticipated Iowa-Wake Forest matchup, our panel took the Hawkeyes by a 5-4 margin. If one of those five had picked the Deacons, we’d be projected an ACC overall victory. Sounds to us like an event worth tuning into … MONDAY VIRGINIA AT MINNESOTA (ESPN2, 7 ET) Jay Bilas: Minnesota — Tubby Smith has depth and guard play, and Tony Bennett doesn’t. Eamonn Brennan: Minnesota – The Gophers are a complete and balanced team, even if Al Nolen and Rodney Williams miss the game due to injury; Tony Bennett’s rebounding Virginia squad is, well, not. Fran Fraschilla: Minnesota — The Gophers are one of the country’s early-season surprises and they are at home in the friendly confines of Williams Arena. This will be ugly. Doug Gottlieb: Minnesota — Despite not having Al Nolen, Minnesota is still loaded. Maverick Ahanmisi was a late signee who is a year older than most freshman, and that maturity will come in handy. Andy Katz: Minnesota – The Gophers are depleted with injuries, but likely get Devoe Joseph back and are too strong, too tall, too deep for rebuilding Virginia. Diamond Leung: Minnesota — Minnesota might be banged up, but Blake Hoffarber and Trevor Mbakwe should be able to dominate. Joe Lunardi: Minnesota — The shorthanded Gophers are still too much for the Cavs at this point. Dana O’Neil: Minnesota — Even without Al Nolen and Rodney Williams, the red-hot Gophers are too talented for the still struggling Cavaliers. Jay Williams: Minnesota — Even though they won’t have starters Al Nolen & Rodney Williams due to injuries, I expect Blake Hoffarber, Trevor Mbakwe and Ralph Sampson III to dominate. TUESDAY GEORGIA TECH AT NORTHWESTERN (ESPN2, 7 ET) Bilas: Northwestern — The Wildcats will spread the Jackets out and keep them on a string between open 3s and backdoor cuts. Brennan: Northwestern — Facing its first real “test” of the season, Northwestern’s matchup zone and tricky Princeton offense will give Georgia Tech fits. Fraschilla: Northwestern — Sadly, even a win over the Yellow Jackets won’t mean much in March. Too much John Shurna in this one. Gottlieb: Northwestern — Tech played well this weekend, but the travel and Juice Thompson will be too much. Katz: Northwestern — If we’re going to take the Wildcats seriously they have to win a game like this at home against the inferior Yellow Jackets. Leung: Northwestern — The Wildcats should stay undefeated playing on their homecourt and with John Shurna playing well. Lunardi: Northwestern — A solid win over Creighton sets the Wildcats up nicely for another victory. O’Neil: Northwestern — John Shurna has been terrific all season for a Wildcat team dreaming of — gasp! — an NCAA bid. Williams: Northwestern — This is the year Northwestern makes the NCAA tournament because of Shurna and Thompson. IOWA AT WAKE FOREST (ESPNU, 7 ET) Bilas: Iowa — Wake Forest will have a hard time beating anyone this season. Brennan: Iowa — Because as bad as Iowa is, Wake Forest is — somehow — worse. Fraschilla: Wake Forest — Someone has to win, right? Gottlieb: Iowa — Hawkeyes are coming off a win. Fran McCaffery will dial up something. Katz: Wake Forest — I can’t see the Demon Deacons losing four home games before Dec. 1. Leung: Iowa — Between the two, Iowa has shown a few more signs of life. Lunardi: Wake Forest — Neither team has played a true road game, so you have to go with Wake at home. O’Neil: Wake Forest — Because as bad as the Demon Deacons have looked early, the Hawkeyes have looked worse. Williams: Iowa — After watching Wake lose to Stetson, VCU and Winthrop, I give the edge to Iowa on the road. OHIO STATE AT FLORIDA STATE (ESPN, 7:30 ET) Bilas: Ohio State — Florida State can really guard, but scoring efficiently is a problem the Seminoles have and the Buckeyes don’t. Brennan: Ohio State – FSU’s defense will keep this one close, but the interior offensive rebounding of Jared Sullinger and Dallas Lauderdale will be too much for the Noles to manage. Fraschilla: Ohio State – The Leon County Civic Center is not the homecourt the Seminoles deserve. Gottlieb: FSU’s Chris Singleton has put up insane numbers with two triple-doubles, but OSU has the athletes to guard him and his compadres. Katz: Ohio State — The Buckeyes won at Florida and have a better inside game than Florida State, although FSU’s Chris Singleton will likely put up the best numbers. Leung: Ohio State — Despite the all-around talents of FSU’s Chris Singleton, Ohio State has too many weapons, including Jared Sullinger in the middle. Lunardi: Ohio State — Buckeyes complete the Sunshine State sweep in Tallahassee. O’Neil: Ohio State — Tough follow for the Seminoles after an emotional, disappointing loss to the Gators. Plus, Jared Sullinger is the why to all questions about the Buckeyes. Williams: Florida State — Yes, I call the upset here. Xavier Gibson and Bernard James will give Mr. Sullinger a lot to deal with down low. MICHIGAN AT CLEMSON (ESPN2, 9 ET) Bilas: Clemson — The Tigers are at home, and Michigan hasn’t won away from home.

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Expert predictions: ACC/Big Ten Challenge