The 2013 Big Ten/ACC Challenge schedule was announced today, with Penn State scheduled to take on in-state rival Pitt. The game is scheduled for December 3 in Pitt’s Petersen Events Center. This is the first matchup between the two teams since 2005, when the Panthers defeated the Nittany Lions 84-71.

The Nittany Lions bring a 5-7 overall record into the Big Ten/ACC Challenge after falling to Boston College last year. This will be the first time that Pitt plays in the Challenge after joining the ACC last year. The Lions should have a slight advantage in preparing for the game, as transfer John Johnson should provide insight into the Pitt playbook. Johnson, a transfer from the Pitt program, is not eligible to play until the fall 2013 semester is completed.

This just adds to an already formidable non-conference schedule for the Nittany Lions, which already includes games against in-state rivals Bucknell, Penn, Duquesne, and La Salle. Penn State will also travel to Brooklyn for the 2nd annual Barclays Center Classic, which will include St. Johns, Georgia Tech, and the Marshall Henderson-led Ole Miss Rebels.

Penn State, in its 3rd season under coach Pat Chambers, comes into the 2013 season with high expectations after it was announced that Tim Frazier was granted a medical redshirt for the season. Frazier’s return gives Penn State the top 3 returning scorers in the Big Ten. A road match against a traditionally solid Pitt program should serve as a good indication of how the season will go.

Other good matchups in the tournament include Indiana at Syracuse, Michigan at Duke, Maryland at Ohio State, and North Carolina at Michigan State

Time to watch this on repeat.