Pitt to face Minnesota in ACC-Big Ten Challenge

The Pitt men’s basketball team got a schedule update this week when it was announced that the Panthers would face Minnesota in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge this coming season. The Panthers will host the game on November 30 but game time and TV info remain unannounced.

“We are excited about the opportunity to compete against Minnesota in a home ACC/Big Ten Challenge game this season,” said head coach Jeff Capel. “Coach Johnson has an outstanding reputation and will be looking to really establish his culture in his first year at the head coach at Minnesota. We look forward to the opportunity to host another Power 5 opponent in non-conference play.”

Pitt has had success in the ACC-Big Ten games recently, defeating Northwestern last year and beating Rutgers the year before. That said, this year’s team will look dramatically different from even last year as the team is looking to replace its top three players in NBA Draft-bound Justin Champagnie, and transfers Xavier Johnson, and Au’diese Toney.

It seemed that Pitt was going to be facing off against one of its former player in guard Marcus Carr. Carr left Pitt for Minnesota previously but could be headed out of that program for another potential transfer. That comes after Carr recently decided he’d return to college after withdrawing his name from consideration in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Last season, the Golden Gophers were 14-15.

Be sure to join Cardiac Hill’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.