Northwestern women’s basketball to face Virginia in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

The Wildcats will host Virginia on December 1 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the two conferences jointly announced Wednesday.

NU finished 18-17 overall, including a first-round loss in the WNIT, and just 4-14 in Big Ten play last season. The Cats return first-team all-Big Ten forward Nia Coffey, conference defensive player of the year Ashley Deary and several other letter winners.

The Cavaliers finished 18-16 and reached the WNIT Round of 16.

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is an annual event matching schools from the two conferences for non-league games. NU won 85-72 at North Carolina last season.

The Cats and Cavaliers have played just twice. Virginia won the last meeting in 2004.