Chip Bremer
There’s no shortage of interesting games on the ACC men’s college basketball slate over the next couple of months. After all, this is the time of year when in-season tournaments and inter-conference challenges give fans a look at competitive matchups they wouldn’t otherwise see until the NCAA Tournament in March. So, if you’re looking for the most impactful nonconference games featuring the ACC’s top teams, here are a few to mark on your calendar:
BYU at Miami, Nov. 27
The Hurricanes will be tested earlier in the month against Florida, but their best opportunity for a quality Q1 win will be at home against the top-ranked freshman in the country, AJ Dybantsa, and Kevin Young’s tough BYU squad. The Cougars offer plenty of difficult matchups, particularly at point guard where Baylor transfer Robert Wright III will square off against Miami’s Tre Donaldson, and any opportunity for the Canes’ Malik Reneau to shut down Dybantsa will make for good entertainment.
UNC at Kentucky, Dec. 2
The Tar Heels face some stiff nonconference competition this season, but the game that will get the most attention is the ACC-SEC Challenge contest at Kentucky. This battle of the blue bloods will feature some quality matchups, especially with Seth Trimble taking on UK leading scorer Otega Oweh. The one to watch will be whoever Mark Pope decides to go up against UNC freshman Caleb Wilson. Whether it’s Mo Dioubate, Kam Williams, Brandon Garrison, or even seven-foot frosh Malachi Moreno—they’ll have a tough go trying to stop Wilson.
Florida at Duke, Dec. 2
Perhaps the biggest test for Jon Scheyer’s young-but-talented Blue Devils, the defending national champion Gators have several experienced options along the baseline that can make things difficult for Duke star freshman Cam Boozer. The pressure will be on center Patrick Ngongba to provide support. The backcourt battle should be even more intriguing with Florida duo Xavian Lee and Boogie Fland taking on Duke’s Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans. A win here could give Duke some serious momentum heading into the conference slate.
Kansas at NC State, Dec. 13
Will Wade’s Wolfpack won’t see a bigger nonconference test all season than the Jayhawks. Traditionally, State has struggled on the national stage facing Q1 competition, but this is a new era in Raleigh, and this game will offer a chance to prove it. It will be interesting to see how Qadir Copeland and Tre Holloman will attempt to control Kansas phenom Darryn Peterson. But the bigger question is how the Jayhawks will counter the inside-outside game of Darrion Williams.
Louisville at Tennessee, Dec. 16
The Cardinals will face other challenges from the SEC (Kentucky and Arkansas), but if any team can slow down Louisville’s high-octane perimeter attack, it will be the Vols.