CHAPEL HILL — The ACC’s best failed to meet the challenge.

The annual dribblefest over three nights known for 21 years as the ACC/Big Ten Challenge entered the final night deadlocked. By the time Cinderella’s hour came around, the Midwesterners had walked away with four victories and an 8-6 edge.

Granted, in the arenas as the games played out, it’s doubtful any of the players were truly worried about chants of league supremacy. They were more concerned, and rightly so, about their teams and seasons. In several games, it was an opportunity to pick up a resume win.

Carolina pulled within 39-36 of Ohio State in a matchup of the nation’s sixth- and seventh-ranked teams, then was blown out of the Smith Center by 25. And head coach Roy Williams said he didn’t blame the fans for leaving early.

“I’ve had my butt beat before, and it’ll be beat again,” he said. “Their team was better than our team, their coach was better than our coach.”

He minced no words. Carolina got whipped, setting several dubious arena records. When his team played within two points at intermission, he said he “felt like I had stolen something. Needless to say, it got worse.”

Boy, howdy, did it ever.

“As evident from the game, I have no answers,” he said.

There was some of that to go around his league brethren.

On a night when N.C. State grabbed a nice win over now .500 Wisconsin and Georgia Tech protected home turf against now .500 Nebraska, the ACC was humbled by losses of 74-49 by No. 7 Carolina to No. 6 Ohio State and 69-40 by No. 5 Virginia to Purdue. No. 17 Florida State’s loss at Indiana gave the Big Ten a 3-2 edge in games against ranked ACC teams; the Big Ten’s ranked bunch was 2-2.

The series of games was anything but close and exciting. Monday’s 81-79 win by Miami at Illinois was the last time there was a close game. The others were decided by an average of 17 points, none closer than 11 and the most by 29.

Duke was most impressive at Michigan State on Tuesday. Louisville, the nation’s No. 1, routed upstart and poll-leaping No. 4 Michigan the same night, somewhat preserving a measure of respect for the ACC.

On the other side, third-ranked Maryland continues to make a case for best in the land, becoming just the second team to beat Notre Dame 72-51.

Most all jump back into league games this weekend. All of those matter — a lot. Then exams, a few easy games and then the Christmas break.

The ACC still leads the all-time series 12-6-3. And it’s been a fun three days.

But the Big 10 ruled. The ACC didn’t meet the challenge.

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The Associated Press
North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) grimaces in pain following a sprained ankle Wednesday night. Head coach Roy Williams said after the game Bacot is expected to miss some time.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_acc-carolina-ohio-state-120619.jpgThe Associated Press
North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) grimaces in pain following a sprained ankle Wednesday night. Head coach Roy Williams said after the game Bacot is expected to miss some time.

Alan Wooten can be reached at 910-247-9132 or awooten@bladenjournal.com. Twitter: @alanwooten19.