Dec. 2, 2002
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#25/20 Illinois (3-0) vs. #12/14 North Carolina (5-0)
8:35 p.m. - Dec. 3, 2002 - Champaign, Ill. - Assembly Hall (16,500) espn2 Television
Illinois in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is now in its fourth year of existence. This season, Illinois plays a home game for the first time in thehistory of the Challenge and is seeking its first victory. The last two seasons, Illinois' opponent (Duke in 2000-01 and Maryland in 2001-02) has gone on to win the NCAA Championship.
Here is a look back at Illinois' games in the Challenge:
11/30/99 ... Duke 72, Illinois 69; No. 16 Illinois shot just 34 percent from the field in dropping a three-point decision to No. 17 Duke at the United Center in Chicago. Duke's Chris Carrawell led all scorers with 21 points while Frank Williams and Cory Bradford led the Illini with 14 each.
11/28/00 ... Duke 78, Illinois 77; No. 9 Illinois commited 26 turnovers in dropping a one-point decision to the top-ranked Blue Devils at Greensboro, N.C. Frank Williams led Illinois with 19 points, but had nine turnovers, while Jason Williams led Duke with 23 points and Mike Dunleavy added 21.
11/27/01 Maryland 76, Illinois 63; No. 5 Maryland won its 80th consecutive home game against non-conference opponets in the final season at Cole Field House over No. 2 Illinois. Juan Dixon led all scorers with 25 points, while Chris Wilcox scored 19. Blandon Ferguson scored 11 points off the bench to lead the Illini.
ACC/Big TenChallenge Schedule
Here are the pairings for this year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge (all times Central):
Monday, Dec. 2
Iowa at Florida State; 8 pm, ESPN2
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Ohio State vs. Duke; 6 pm, ESPN
Penn State at Clemson; 6:30 pm, ESPN2
Maryland vs. Indiana; 8 pm, ESPN
No rth Carolina at Illinois; 8:30 pm, ESPN2
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Georgia Tech at Minnesota; 6 pm, ESPN
No rt h western at N.C. State; 6:30 pm, ESPN2
Virginia at Michigan State; 8 pm, ESPN
Wake Fo rest at Wisconsin; 8:30 pm, ESPN2
Illinois-North Carolina:Past Matchups
This marks the fourth meeting between Illinois and North Carolina, with the Tar Heels owning a 2-1 record in the all-time series. The first matchup in the series came on Dec. 20, 1951, an 86-66 Illinois victory in Champaign's Huff Gym. Johnny "Red" Kerr led the way with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Bob Peterson added 16 points for the Illini, who went on to advance to the Final Four that season. The two teams met for the second time in a showdown of Top 10 programs in Chapel Hill on Dec. 20, 1986, as No. 4 North Carolina defeated No. 5 Illinois 90-77. Kenny Smith scored 22 points for the Tar Heels, while Ken Norman led the Illini with 22 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. The most recent meeting in the series came on Dec. 19, 1987, as 4th-ranked North Carolina defeated the Illini 85-74 at the Assembly Hall. J.R. Reid scored 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting to lead the Tar Heels to victory. Kendall Gill had 25 points and eight assists for the Illini while Nick Anderson added 16 points.
