Michigan State to host North Carolina in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

In a bit of a surprise, MSU will host North Carolina on Dec. 4 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

I say surprise because most believed Duke would be coming to East Lansing. Instead, UNC has its second-straight road game in the challenge, while Duke has its second-straight home game. This will be the second time since 2007 that MSU is playing a challenge game at the Breslin Center after the 2008 game was played at Ford Field.

MSU is 2-2 against North Carolina in the challenge, and 3-11 all-time. MSU's challenge wins came in 1999 and 2000, while UNC's came in 2008 and 2009. That's right, MSU has reached the Final Four every time they've played North Carolina in the challenge.

The teams last met in the Carrier Classic to open the 2011-12 season. MSU has lost six straight to the Tar Heels (five on neutral floors), dating back to that 2000 game.

MSU is 6-7 in the challenge, including 5-1 at home.

Here is the release from MSU.

As far as nonconference games, we know MSU will play Kentucky in Chicago in the Champions Classic, as well in Brooklyn in Coaches vs. Cancer with a field that includes Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Seton Hall.