(Chicago, IL) – Two of the top three basketball conferences in America (according to the RPI) will square off in tonight’s first game at United Center. Iowa State is part of the Big 12 Conference, the top ranked league, and Virginia, is a member of the third ranked ACC.
The ACC made a huge splash bringing six teams into the Sweet Sixteen, and in the only game pitting these two great leagues against one another is this one in the Windy City.
According to Realtimerpi.com, the Big 12 is the top league, followed by the Pacific 12 and then the ACC. Rounding out the top ten are the Big East, followed by the Big 10, then the Southeastern Conference, A-10, American Athletic, Colonial Athletic and the Mid-American.
Neither of the ACC teams that played yesterday advanced to the Elite Eight, but the Big East (Villanova), Pac 12 (Oregon) and two Big 12 teams (Kansas & Oklahoma) survived to play on Saturday.
In the match up between Iowa State and Virginia you have a contrast of styles, but both teams are highly efficient offensively and boast of a unique all-American in the line-up.
Iowa State Head Coach Steve Prohm says playing in the Big 12 prepares you for anything you can see on the basketball court.
Other matchups tonight find the Big 10 battling the ACC twice as Indiana takes on North Carolina, and Wisconsin faces Notre Dame. Gonzaga of the West Coast Conference faces the ACC’s Syracuse.
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said his team isn’t thinking about conference rivalries, but rather how to slow down the fast paced Cyclones.
Bragging rights and a trip to the Elite Eight abound.
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Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
