By Whitelaw Reid wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250 A logical ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup would have been Virginia and Michigan State, but the powers that be always seem to have their own special formula when making the schedule. It’s a formula that, no doubt, relies heavily on dollar signs. So UVa can forget about a rematch with the school that has knocked it out of the last two NCAA Tournaments. Or even a Challenge rematch with Maryland, who — after the addition of Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon on Monday — some people are talking about as the No. 1 team in the country. On Wednesday, it was announced that Virginia will play at Ohio State on Dec. 1. It marks the second year in a row that UVa, who beat the Terrapins in College Park last season, will play a road game in the Challenge. “With the round-robin nature of the event, there comes a time in the rotation when teams must play on the road in back-to-back seasons,” said Virginia coach Tony Bennett in a press release. “It was our turn to do so and we look forward to the challenge of playing a great Ohio State program.” Ohio State finished last season 24-11. The Buckeyes lost to Michigan State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. In the NCAA Tournament, they were defeated by Arizona in the third round. Ohio State, which has lost star D’Angelo Russell to the NBA, is — at least at this early juncture — not considered a Top 25 team. Even after the early departure of Justin Anderson, most pundits believe Virginia will be a top 10 outfit. Aside from Anderson, UVa loses just Darion Atkins from a team that won a school-record tying 30 games. …
Continue Reading: UVa men’s basketball team to face Ohio State in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
