Virginia Tech’s non-conference men’s basketball schedule for the 2010-11 season got a substantial jolt Wednesday when the pairings of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge were announced.

The Hokies are scheduled to host Purdue on Dec. 1 in a game pitting two of the top teams in each of the conferences.

The Boilermakers, who are bolstered by the return of JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore, both of whom declared early for the NBA Draft but withdrew before the deadline, and the expected return of a healthy Robbie Hummel, who blew out his knee before the NCAA Tournament last season, are a trendy top five national pick.

And Tech will be a popular choice to finish high in the ACC now that unanimous All-ACC selection Malcolm Delaney has decided to return for his senior season.

The matchup of the Hokies and Boilermakers is one of the best in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge lineup. Another big matchup pits 2010 national champion Duke against Final Four participant Michigan State on Dec. 1 in Durham.

Virginia will visit Minnesota for the second time in three years. That game is scheduled for Nov. 29.

The ACC-Big Ten Challenge games will be televised by ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Specific game times and networks will be determined at a later time.

Virginia Tech came under fire last season for its poor non-conference schedule, which was considered one of the weakest in all of college basketball. The lack of quality non-conference opponents was one of the major reasons the Hokies, who finished tied for third in the ACC last season, were left out of the NCAAs.

That shouldn’t be an issue this coming season. Purdue is a huge upgrade over Iowa, Tech’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge opponent last season, and the Hokies could also face a quality opponent or two over Thanksgiving weekend in the 76 Classic.

The eight-team field for the 76 Classic, which will be played at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center, includes three NCAA Tournament participants from last year and two NIT participants.