Virginia releases 2016-2017 basketball schedule

The ACC announced the full 2016-2017 Men’s Basketball schedule today, with Virginia kicking off the season on Friday, November 11 at UNC-Greensboro at 7pm.

Virginia is ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s “way too early” preseason rankings (and I’ll use that list for all of the rankings here), despite losing Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill, and Mike Tobey to graduation. The Hoos return fourth-year point guard extraordinaire London Perrantes as the lone scholarship senior, and add graduate transfer Austin Nichols, red-shirt first-year Mamadi Diakite, and a top-ten recruiting class.

At first glance, the highlights include a return trip to reigning National Champs No. 2 Villanova (January 29, 12pm, Fox), a battle with No. 15 West Virginia (December 3, 2pm, ESPNU), and a challenging ACC slate (duh).

Last season, the Hoos defeated Cal on a last-second three-pointer by Perrantes in overtime to take the 63-62 victory. Second-year Jarred Reuter kept UVA in the game early with an 11-point performance, and Perrantes went 2-for-3 from beyond the three point line.

Take note of that Villanova date as it falls within what is usually conference play. The Hoos will head to Philadelphia with the hopes of repeating the success they had at home as Virginia defeated the Wildcats 86-75 in the friendly confines of JPJ.

Tony Bennett and the Hoos will head to Destin, Florida over Thanksgiving for the Emerald Coast Classic. Virginia will start off play in Charlottesville against St. Francis (NY) and Texas-Rio Grande/Savannah State/Grambling, then head south to face Iowa and then either Memphis or Providence. The Hoos have won three straight fall challenges (Corpus Christi Challenge, Barclays Center Classic, and Charleston Classic).

In the ACC/Big10 Challenge, Virginia welcomes the Buckeyes to JPJ (yes, I know…we played them last year) on Wednesday, November 30 at 9pm.

ACC play kicks off early this year with Virginia traveling to No. 13 Louisville on Wednesday, December 28. Game time has not been announced, but the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Florida State comes to Charlottesville on December 31 for a New Year’s showdown to open the home conference slate at 2pm on ESPNU.

Virginia welcomes No. 1 Duke on Wednesday, February 15 at 9pm on ESPN2, and Hoos head to No. 6 North Carolina on Saturday, February 18 before hosting the Heels on February 27.

At first glance, the back-to-back games on the road at Cal and Louisville will be tough, as will the Villanova, VT, Syracuse, Louisville, VT, Duke, Carolina, Miami stretch.

The Hoos will close the regular season at home against Pitt on March 4, and the ACC tournament will run from March 7-11 in Brooklyn, NY.

All in all, the Hoos play eight teams in the “way too early” top 25, and one honorable mention (Virginia Tech!).

What’s your take on this year’s schedule? Let us know in the comment section!

Check out the full schedule below: