8 Best ACC-Big Ten Challenge Performances & Stat Leaders

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Four Big Ten teams came up with wins on the third and final day of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge to give the league their first win in the event since 2015. The two teams were tied with four wins apiece after two days before the Big Ten pulled away on Wednesday. Ironically, the only game that wasn’t decided by double digits was Game 1 between Miami and Illinois.

Check out the best individual performances from the 14-game event, as well as the leaders in each statistical category.

Best Overall Performances

Marcus Carr, Minnesota

The sophomore guard had a game-high 24 points and nine assists to lead Minnesota to a 78-60 win over Clemson. The win was Minnesota’s first against a team ranked in the KenPom Top 100.

  • 36 minutes
  • 24 points
  • 9 assists
  • 5 rebounds

Jordan Nwora, Louisville

Nwora led unbeaten Louisville to a huge 58-43 win over No. 4 Michigan on Tuesday with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. The junior is currently ranked No. 1 in KenPom’s Player of the Year rankings.

  • 36 minutes
  • 22 points
  • 12 rebounds

Vernon Carey Jr., Duke

The freshman is currently ranked No. 2 in KenPom’s Player of the Year rankings and proved his worth yet again in Duke’s 87-75 win over No. 11 Michigan State. Carey had his seventh consecutive double-double in just 25 minutes, leading both teams in points (26), rebounds (11), and blocks (3; tied).

  • 25 minutes
  • 26 points
  • 11 rebounds
  • 3 blocks

Devonte Green, Indiana

The senior went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and 10-for-15 overall to lead Indiana to an upset win over No. 17 Florida State. His 30 points were the most of any player in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and the most Green has ever scored in a single game. Oh yeah, he did it all off the bench in less than 30 minutes.

  • 29 minutes
  • 30 points
  • 6 rebounds
  • 5 three-pointers
  • 3 assists
  • 2 steals

Luka Garza, Iowa

Garza, now in his third year starting for Iowa, led the Hawkeyes to a 68-54 win in a tough environment up in Syracuse. Garza had his fourth 20-point game of the season, pouring in a game-high 23 on 9-of-15 shooting. He also grabbed nine boards, tied for the most in the game.

  • 36 minutes
  • 23 points
  • 9 rebounds

 

Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh

The sophomore led all scorers in Pitt’s 71-60 win over Rutgers, dropping 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Johnson also dished out eight assists, which was the second-most in the entire ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

  • 38 minutes
  • 20 points
  • 8 assists
  • 2 steals

Jalen Smith, Maryland

Smith had a monster double-double in Maryland’s 72-51 win over Notre Dame, scoring 15 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, the most boards in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Smith also blocked five shots.

  • 28 minutes
  • 15 points
  • 16 rebounds
  • 5 blocks
  • 3 assists

Michael Devoe, Georgia Tech

Devoe did it all for Tech on Wednesday in their win over Nebraska. The sophomore just missed a triple-double with 26 points (game-high), seven assists (game-high), and eight boards. Devoe was efficient, too, going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and 10-for-16 overall.

  • 34 minutes
  • 26 points
  • 8 rebounds
  • 7 assists
  • 4 three-pointers
  • 3 steals

 

ACC-Big Ten Challenge Stat Leaders

Points:

Rebounds:

READ:  2019 ACC-Big Ten Challenge Highlights (All 14 Games)

Assists:

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3-Point FG: