The match-ups for the 2014 ACC/B1G Challenge have been released via ESPN and UNC will host Iowa on December 3rd. It will mark just the fourth meeting between the Tar Heels and the Hawkeyes the last coming in 2004 at the Maui Classic. Iowa leads the all-time series 2-1 with UNC losing to Iowa in a home-and-home series 1988-89 and 1989-90.The game at UNC, which the Heels lose 98-97, involved some controversy at the end.
Given the rest of UNC's non-conference schedule is a meat grinder, getting what will likely be a borderline Top 25 team in Iowa is fine. UNC needed a break of sorts given how the schedule looks plus there is the possibility a road game at Texas might be added.
Here is the full schedule
December 1st
Nebraska at Florida State
Rutgers at Clemson
December 2nd
Syracuse at Michigan
Ohio State at Louisville
Pittsburgh at Indiana
NC State at Purdue
Illinois at Miami
Minnesota at Wake Forest
December 3rd
Duke at Wisconsin
Michigan State at Notre Dame
Iowa at North Carolina
Georgia Tech at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at Penn State
Poor Virginia.
The Cavaliers really thought they were done with going to College Park but not so. UVa lost to Maryland in the regular season finale for both teams in March. However Maryland is having a rough offseason with multiple players leaving the program so this game might be an easy one for the Cavaliers.
Louisville got another impressive home game, this time against Ohio State. Duke will play the rare true road game prior to ACC play. The Blue Devils get a trip to the always tough Kohl Center to face Wisconsin. The other marquee match-ups include Syracuse at Michigan and Michigan State at Notre Dame. Clemson gets saddled with Rutgers and Boston College has been left out altogether. I am guessing Buzz Williams makes for better TV.