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

13. Boston College Eagles at Vanderbilt Commodores

This is an interesting matchup if you’re a diehard NCAA Basketball fan because these are two programs that tend to struggle in the non-conference with underwhelming talent, yet still seem to finish in the respective standings. But at some point, there needs to be a move up the ladder into NCAA Tournament contention.

Vandy had a rough offseason for the most part, as head coach Jerry Stackhouse was reportedly linked to NBA jobs. Many of the top players on the team either graduated or transferred, with Tyrin Lawrence the only one to return from both the NBA Draft and transfer portal process. Also joining is Ven-Allen Lubin, a transfer from Notre Dame that’s going to be a breakout candidate next season.

BC has its own star forward back in Quinten Post, who averaged 15.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg, winning ACC Most Improved Player of the Year. The rest of the roster is more or less intact, with 17.3 ppg guard transfer Claudell Harris replacing Makai Ashton-Langford. They need someone among the supporting cast to become an All-ACC player to join Post and if that’s Harris, then the Eagles have the chance.

This is a game where Lawrence and Post are the top players overall. And with neither having much buzz at the moment, it’s hard to envision this being a marquee matchup. However, there could be some hot-seat talk if either coach struggles again so maybe the loser of this game could be in trouble in that department.