For the second time since leaving the ACC, Maryland men’s basketball will be playing Virginia in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 31, 2018
The Terps previously faced the Cavaliers during the 2014-15 season, a game Virginia won 76-65.
While the matchup is a rekindling of a border rivalry from Maryland’s ACC days, I think it would be fair to say most Terps fans would like a chance to play a new ACC squad.
The obvious choice would be Duke, but it seems unlikely Maryland will get a chance at the Blue Devils as long as Coach K is still the boss in Durham. That being said, I think fans would enjoy a chance to play an old ACC foe like NC State or Wake Forest. Additionally, a matchup against one of the ACC’s newer additions like Notre Dame and Louisville would also be a compelling game and provide Maryland with a new opponent in the competition.
Maryland and Virginia are both coming off disappointing seasons where they failed to win an NCAA tournament game, so this early-season clash could give both teams a chance to start their season off with a nice win against a rival.
Maryland is currently 0-4 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge as a member of the Big Ten.