GREENSBORO, N.C.—ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference jointly announced on Wednesday afternoon that Pitt will host Penn State as part of the 15th annual 2013 Big Ten/ACC Basketball Challenge Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Pitt will host Penn State on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Petersen Events Center. The contest will be televised on one of the ESPN family of networks: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
The last time Pitt and Penn State met in basketball was on December 10, 2005, a 91-54 Panthers victory at the Petersen Events Center. Against Penn State, Pitt has claimed each of the last five meetings, 10 of the last 13 and both matchups at the Petersen Events Center. The two schools have played 145 total games since 1905-06 with Penn State holding a 75-70 advantage in the series. Penn State represents Pitt’s oldest and second most common rival in its basketball history.
“It’s not often that you can pair rivals in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge,” Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. “Obviously ESPN jumped on this opportunity and it figures to be an exciting matchup for the players, fans and the entire state of Pennsylvania.”
The ACC leads its series against the Big Ten with a 10-3-1 overall record. Last year, the two conferences tied in the event, with each league claiming six games apiece. Seven of the 14 challenges have been decided by one win or less. All 12 Big Ten teams and 12 of the 15 ACC teams will participate in the 2013 Challenge.
Pitt’s entire 2013-14 men’s basketball schedule, tipoff times and television appearances will be released at a later date. Pitt’s 2013-14 ACC opponents were announced on April 23. Pitt returns three starters and six of its top 10 scorers from a team that finished 24-9 overall and advanced to its 11th NCAA Tournament in the last 12 seasons.
2013 BIG TEN/ACC CHALLENGE MATCHUPS
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013
Penn State at Pitt
Florida State at Minnesota
Illinois at Georgia Tech
Indiana at Syracuse
Michigan at Duke
Notre Dame at Iowa
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013
Boston College at Purdue
Maryland at Ohio State
Miami at Nebraska
North Carolina at Michigan State
Northwestern at North Carolina State
Wisconsin at Virginia
Note: ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 12 games.