November 27, 2001 .
Virginia To Play Michigan State in ACC/Big Ten Challenge Wednesday Night
Virginia (2000-2001: 20-9/9-7 ACC), ranked ninth in the AP poll and eighth in the USAToday/ESPN poll, stands at 3-0 this season. In its last game, Virginia defeated Howard 115-66 (Nov. 21) in University Hall in the first round of the John Thompson Classic. Michigan State (2000-2001: 28-5/13-3 Big Ten) is ranked 22nd in the AP poll and 17th in the USAToday/ESPN poll. The Spartans are 2-2 in the 2001-2002 season and are coming off a 63-58 loss to Fresno State (Nov. 23) in the consolation game of the preseason NIT.
The ACC/Big Ten ChallengeTonight's game against Michigan State is part of the third annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge, a two-day series matching two of the nation's top basketball conferences. The Cavaliers won last year's ACC/Big Ten meeting with a 98-79 victory over Purdue (Nov. 29) at University Hall. Michigan State defeated North Carolina 77-64 (Nov. 29) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in East Lansing, Mich. last season. In the initial ACC/Big Ten meeting in the 1999-2000 season, Virginia fell to Minnesota 74-62 (Nov. 30) in Minneapolis, while the Spartans defeated North Carolina 86-76 (Dec. 1) in Chapel Hill.	The ACC won the first two ACC/Big Ten Challenges by identical 5-4 margins.
The Series vs. Michigan StateTonight's game is just Virginia's third meeting with Michigan State and the first since the 1948-49 season. The Spartans won the first two meetings, 51-46 in 1946-47 and 62-43 in 1948-49.
Virginia vs. the Big TenVirginia is 13-13 all-time against the 11 current Big Ten schools. UVa is 1-0 vs. Purdue, 5-2 vs. Penn State, 3-1 vs. Minnesota, 1-1 vs. Wisconsin and Indiana, 1-2 vs. Michigan, 1-3 vs. Ohio State, 0-1 vs. Iowa and 0-2 vs. Michigan State. The Cavaliers have never faced Illinois and Northwestern. In their last game against a Big Ten school, the Cavaliers defeated Purdue 98-79 (Nov. 29) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge last season in Charlottesville.
Previous ACC ChallengeVirginia was the only ACC school to win all three games in the ACC/Big East Challenge, held during the 1989-90 through 1991-92 seasons. In the ACC/Big East Challenge, UVa defeated Villanova (73-65 in 1989-90), Pittsburgh (84-80 in 1990-91) and Georgetown (76-66 in overtime in 1991-92).
Home Away From HomeThe Cavaliers have a 26-9 (.743) record at the Richmond Coliseum since the building opened for the 1971-72 season. Virginia played its first game here against Virginia Tech during the 1975-76 season.
Virginia has won four consecutive games at the Richmond Coliseum and all four wins have come against Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers defeated the Hokies 71-66 in overtime (Jan. 24) at the Richmond Coliseum during the 1999-2000 season. UVa also defeated Virginia Tech 64-55 in the 1998-99 season at the Richmond Coliseum and earned one-point victories over Virginia Tech in 1997 (58-57) and 1995 (63-62). UVa's last loss at the Richmond Coliseum was a 59-53 setback to the Hokies in 1993.
Returning to the State CapitalThis is Virginia's only game of the season in Richmond. Tonight's game is the seventh since the 1997-98 season in Richmond for UVa. The Cavaliers have won their last six games in Richmond.
In the 1999-2000 season, Virginia defeated Richmond in the Robins Center 69-65 and Virginia Tech 71-66 in overtime in the Richmond Coliseum. UVa was 2-0 in Richmond in the 1998-99 campaign. The Cavaliers defeated Virginia Commonwealth 86-70 at the Robins Center and Virginia Tech 64-55 in the Richmond Coliseum. UVa was 2-1 in games in Richmond in the 1997-98 season. The Cavaliers lost the season-opener to Richmond 83-79 in double overtime at the Robins Center. Virginia posted a 73-67 win over Virginia Commonwealth and a 73-64 overtime victory over Wake Forest in the Robins Center.
Richmond has been a frequent site for Virginia basketball games throughout the years. In fact, besides Charlottesville, Richmond trails only Lexington, Va., as the most frequent site of Cavalier basketball games. Tonight's contest is the 85th game in the history of the Virginia program played in Richmond. UVa is 51-33 all-time in Richmond.
Through the years, the Cavaliers have played 86 games in Lexington, home of VMI and Washington & Lee.