Story Links

Dec. 3, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –

Complete Release in PDF Format
dot.gifspacer.gifDownload Free Acrobat Reader

The Game
Virginia (2002-2003: 16-16/6-10 ACC) stands at 3-0 in the 2003-2004 season. The Cavaliers are coming off a 79-64 victory over High Point Sunday afternoon (Nov. 30) at University Hall. Minnesota (2002-2003: 19-14/8-8 Big Ten) stands at 2-1 on the season after posting a 91-84 overtime win over Furman on Sunday (Nov. 30) at home.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Tonight’s game against Minnesota is part of the fifth annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge, a three-day series matching two of the nation’s top basketball conferences. Over the past five years, the ACC and Big Ten have dominated the Final Four with the two leagues providing 11 of the 20 Final Four teams during that span.

The Cavaliers are 1-2 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchups. Last season, UVa fell at Michigan State 82-75 (Dec. 4). In 2001, Virginia’s matchup against Michigan State (Nov. 28) in Richmond, Va. was halted with UVa leading 31-28 with 15:04 remaining in the second half due to slippery floor conditions (unseasonably warm temperature (70 degrees) combined with the ice surface under the playing court produced condensation on the court). Virginia won its 2000 ACC/Big Ten Challenge game 98-79 over Purdue (Nov. 29) at University Hall. In the initial ACC/Big Ten meeting in 1999, Virginia fell to Minnesota 74-62 (Nov. 30) in Minneapolis.

The ACC has won the first four ACC/Big Ten Challenges. The ACC won by 5-4 margins in 1999, 2000 and 2002, and 5-3 in 2001. The ACC is 20-15 in the challenge vs. the Big Ten.

The Series vs. Minnesota
The Cavaliers meet Minnesota for the fifth time ever in tonight’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge. UVa leads the all-time series 3-1. The first three games were decided by seven points or less with UVa winning all three contests. Minnesota won the last meeting in the series 74-62 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on November 30 in the 1999 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. In the 1993-94 season, Virginia defeated the Golden Gophers 62-57 at University Hall (Dec. 28) in Minnesota’s only trip to Charlottesville. UVa posted a 79-72 win at Minnesota in the 1990-91 campaign. The initial meeting of the series took place in Madison Square Garden in the 1980 National Invitation Tournament Championship game with the Cavaliers prevailing 58-55 (Mar. 19).

Virginia vs. the Big Ten
Virginia is 13-15 all-time against the 11 current Big Ten schools. UVa is 1-0 vs. Purdue, 5-2 vs. Penn State, 3-1 vs. Minnesota, 1-1 vs. Wisconsin, 1-2 vs. Indiana and Michigan, 1-3 vs. Ohio State, 0-1 vs. Iowa and 0-3 vs. Michigan State. The Cavaliers have never faced Illinois and Northwestern. In their last game against a Big Ten school, the Cavaliers fell to then 21st-ranked Michigan State 82-75 (Dec. 4) in last season’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Print Friendly Version