Virginia releases non-conference schedule; will face some big-name foes

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Posted on Monday, Jul. 10, 2023, 4:15 pm

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

uva Basketball

Photo: UVA Athletics

Tony Bennett might have a “new” team, but that didn’t prevent him from compiling an aggressive non-conference schedule for Virginia basketball this fall.

The Cavaliers have games slated against several big-name programs, beginning with Florida on Nov. 10 in the Hall of Fame series in Charlotte, followed by Wisconsin (Nov. 20) and West Virginia/SMU in the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers (Fla.) Tipoff, then a home meeting against Texas A&M in the ACC-SEC Challenge on Nov. 29. Bennett’s Wahoos will also take on Memphis (road game) on Dec. 19.

Against A&M, UVA will face a familiar foe in former Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams, who compiled a 100-69 record with the Hokies from 2014-19. Since taking over at A&M, his record is 49-37. Williams’ Aggies played in the NCAA Tournament last season. A&M forward Henry Coleman (Richmond), a player Bennett recruited, is a junior who averaged 9.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.

Virginia will round out non-conference play against these opponents in November and December (all at John Paul Jones Arena):

Tarleton State (Nov. 6), North Carolina A&T (Nov. 14), Texas Southern (Nov. 16), North Carolina Central (Dec. 5), Northeastern (Dec. 16) and Morgan State (Dec. 27).

UVA will play is customary 20-game ACC schedule (dates, times, TV will be announced later), and will have home-and-home contests against these league opponents: Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.

The Cavaliers will face these ACC opponents once at home: Miami, North Carolina, Pitt and Syracuse.

Virginia will play these four league foes only once on the road: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State.

No doubt, the Cavaliers get a bit of a break in having to face Miami, UNC and Duke only once each. Early predictions forecast the Tar Heels and Blue Devils as favorites to finish at the top of the league. Jim Larrañaga’s Miami team is coming off a Final Four season, and that game will be played at JPJ.

Fans who want to get on UVA’s wait list for season tickets must contact the ticket office. Single-game ticket information will be announced later in the fall.

For those wanting to attend the game against Florida in Charlotte, click on this link, beginning Wednesday (July 12).

Fan packages are also available for the tip to Fort Myers in November. Go to www.fortmyerstipoff.com/travel for more information.