With the full schedule now available, let’s preview some of the major in-conference games for Virginia men’s basketball this upcoming season. While not listed, the ‘Hoos will also take on Cal and Stanford — both on the road — in the span of four days. Some acclimatization to West Coast travel will be required with the additions of these two California schools to the ACC, alongside Dallas’ SMU. 

In its first ACC contest of the year, Virginia will notably face a new entrant to the conference in SMU. This will also be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. I’m not quite sure what to expect from the Mustangs as they transition from a thin American Athletic Conference to a juggernaut in the ACC, so this isn’t necessarily a pick based upon matchup excitement. Led by ex-USC head coach Andy Enfield, the Dallas-based school’s basketball program has notably upped its NIL standards as it makes the move to a major conference.

The Mustangs are relatively bereft of postseason accomplishments and are overshadowed by the tradition of the football program, yet Dallas boosters won’t allow the team to flounder — even in the hoops-rich ACC. However, I do feel for Enfield having to take on Bennett — the pinnacle of success among current ACC coaches — in his first in-conference outing. It can’t be fun taking on the Pack Line.

Of note: SMU is 11th in the ACC in terms of scoring % returned from 2023-24 (30.7%), yet they are second behind Louisville in total minutes played at the college level (18,101). For reference, the ‘Hoos are eighth (36.9%) and 14th (8,921) in those same categories.

The ‘Hoos must atone for their sins, i.e. last season’s 34-point defeat in Blacksburg. Now, Virginia Tech looks mighty thin after the departures of their top five scorers, yet Virginia has lost four consecutive games in Cassell Coliseum since 2021. Only Duke — having won four straight over UVA in Cameron Indoor from 2011 to 2016 — can compete with that sort of home court domination during Bennett’s time at Virginia. When the time comes for the second rendition of the Commonwealth Clash, I’d expect the ‘Hoos to carry a better record into enemy territory. However, it rarely goes by the book against the Hokies — at least on the road.

The two teams have split the yearly series over the past three seasons, with Virginia holding court in Charlottesville and Virginia Tech dominating Blacksburg. Don’t be surprised if the trend continues, but the Hokies’ personnel losses should provide hope for a win on the road. This is an opportunity to exorcise some demons.

Of note: Virginia Tech is losing two mainstays in the backcourt — guards Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla — who were three and two-year starters, respectively. Coach Mike Young is essentially starting from scratch in his sixth year at the helm.