Virginia Cavaliers Basketball: 3 toughest non-conference opponents for 2018-19

The Virginia Cavaliers have all the tools to be good in 2018-19. Here’s a look at three non-conference opponents who should be formidable threats.

Despite losing in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament to the UMBC Retrievers, the Virginia Cavaliers still had a quality 2017-18 season. They finished with an overall record of 31-3, 17-1 in ACC play. They swept both the regular season and conference tournament championships in the ACC and return a ton of experience from a season ago.

The Cavaliers are led by a backcourt of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome. Guy led the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game while Jerome finished third with 11.7 points per contest. Then there’s rising junior Mamadi Diakite and senior Jack Salt. Both players are expected to contribute in the backcourt alongside big man De’Andre Hunter, 2018 ACC Sixth Man of the Year.

Virginia will be playing with an added chip on their shoulder in 2018-19, which may not bode well for their opponents. They will make an appearance this year in the Battle 4 Atlantis, facing off against Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 21 in the opening round. They’ll face the winner of Butler/Dayton game and if they keep winning, there’s a likelihood of facing Florida/Oklahoma and Wisconsin/Stanford in the championship.

Their schedule for the 2018-19 regular season will have its fair share of roadblocks. With all eyes on Duke and UNC, the Virginia Cavaliers have an opportunity to enter ACC play undefeated if all goes well. Here’s a look at their three toughest non-conference opponents on the upcoming schedule.