NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 2023 inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge matchups

4. Texas A&M Aggies at Virginia Cavaliers

Compared to what I just said about the previous game and its scoring potential, this one could easily be the lowest-combined scoring game next season. These were two of the better team defenses in all of NCAA Basketball, including the famous low-pace style that UVA plays that tends to mess with opponents.

It’s important to note that the Cavaliers lost a ton of talent from last season, including four starters. The lone returner is Reece Beekman, who’ll be running the offense at point. There will be lots of pressure on the trio of transfer newcomers to succeed, including 17 ppg scoring transfer Andrew Rohde and former NEC Defensive Player of the Year big man, Jordan Minor.

In contrast, Texas A&M’s roster has a ton of continuity, returning most of its core. That includes star guard and leading scorer, Wade Taylor IV. Joining him in the backcourt is returning guard Tyrece Radford, along with incoming transfers, Eli Lawrence and Jace Carter. And with Henry Coleman and Julius Marble also back, the frontcourt remains in great shape.

Virginia tends to end up being a top-25 team under Coach Tony Bennett, while Texas A&M will be ranked in the preseason top-25. But the pressure likely will be more on him than the Cavs since for some reason, the Aggies tend to struggle in the non-con. They’ll need to break that skid in order to get what would be a quality road win at a tough place.