NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 16 matchups for 2024 ACC/SEC Challenge

6. Wake Forest at Texas A&M

This will be one of the premier guard matchups in all of NCAA Basketball next season, as Wade Taylor (Texas A&M) will take on Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest). The Demon Deacons will be the underdog on paper as they’ll rely on transfers with high ceilings to make them a postseason threat. Look for the sophomore core of Ty-Laur Johnson (Louisville), Davin Cosby (Alabama), and Omaha Biliew (Iowa State), to all be breakout candidates to watch and if they are, they’ll be a threat to win this game.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M will be one of the most experienced teams in the country besides Taylor. There are nine seniors on the roster, including SMU transfer Zhuric Phelps and Manny Obaseki. Look for the Aggies to be one of the best teams in the ACC and they should be favorites, barring Sallis carrying Wake to an upset bid.

5. Ole Miss at Louisville

From a talent standpoint, this matchup may go down a few spots in the rankings. However, Louisville is going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch all season, thanks to new HC Pat Kelsey and the completely new roster. Some have them as top-25 caliber and if they’re remotely competitive, will be a boost to the ACC and the sport overall.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss had one of the more underrated offseasons in the sport, bringing back leading scoring guards Matthew Murrell and Jaylen Murray and adding several big-name transfers. If former VT guard Sean Pedulla fits well into the lineup, this backcourt core could be one of the best in all of CBB.