GT
PITT
UNC
CLEM
FSU
UVA
STAN
LOU
CAL
NCSU
SYR
BC
DUKE
VT
CONN
MRMK
CCU
TROY
GASO
ARMY
RID
NHVN
WCU
STET
CAM
UMES
SOU
FAMU
UTC
EWU
The ACC Men’s Basketball season opened on Nov. 1, with Notre Dame defeating Villanova in Rome, beginning a week of nonconference matchups that will offer an early look at a league featuring national contenders, teams looking to rebound and several programs facing difficult rebuilding tasks.
For more in-depth analysis of some of the most anticipated nonconference matchups for this upcoming season, click here.
Monday, Nov. 2
Miami, ranked No. 14 in the AP preseason poll, will face SEC frontrunner Florida at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida in the fourth consecutive neutral-site meeting between the in-state rivals.
The Gators leads the all-time series 48-24 and is 4-0 against the Hurricanes in neutral-site games. Miami’s most recent victory came on Dec. 8, 2015, when the Hurricanes won 66-55 in Coral Gables.
Both teams reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. The Gators enter the season ranked No. 1 in both national polls and are picked to win the SEC. Miami was picked to finish fourth in the ACC and looks to pass an early test against the nation’s top-ranked team.
No. 2 ranked Duke opens against Army, continuing a series that has become a regular fixture on the Blue Devils’ schedule. Duke leads the series 14-3 and has won 10 consecutive meeting. Army is looking for its first victory over Duke since Feb. 4, 1939.
The Blue Devils are looking to return to the Final Four for the second time under fifth-year head coach Jon Scheyer. The Black Knights, picked to finish 10th in the Patriot League, are searching for its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. Army is one of three active Division I programs that competed in 1939 to never reach the tournament, along with The Citadel and William & Mary
Clemson looks to continue their dominance over Stetson, defeating the Hatters in their previous seven meetings. This is the first meeting between the programs since a 71-51 victory by the Tigers in 2013.
North Carolina welcomes in-state foe Western Carolina to the Dean Smith Center. This is just the programs third ever meeting, and first since 2017. This will be Michael Malone’s official head coaching debut with the Tar Heels, while the Catamounts are looking to improve on their fifth place finish in the Southern Conference last season.
Syracuse welcomes New Haven in the programs first ever meeting. The Chargers are in their second season transitioning from Division II, looking to improve on their 14-17 record. The Orange, meanwhile, welcome back Gerry McNamara, who takes over coaching for his alma mater looking to improve on their 15-17 record last season.
Pittsburgh looks to rebound from a disappointing 13-20 season as they open against Rider. This is the first meeting between the two programs since 2011. The Broncs, out of the renamed Metro Conference, are looking for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994.
For the second straight season, NC State opens regular season play with a new head coach. Justin Gainey takes over after the one-and-done season by Will Wade, looking to stabilize a Wolfpack program that went to the Final Four in 2024. The Fighting Camels also bring a new head coach to the Lenovo Center, with Jimmie Williams joining the team from Division II Anderson University. NC State leads the series 12-1, with Campbell winning their only matchup back in 1993.
SMU looks for its first ever victory against Southern University out of the SWAC. The Jaguars defeated the Mustangs, then a member of Conference USA, 75-61 in 2007. SMU looks to make the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since their Southwest Conference days in the mid-1980s. Southern is looking for its first trip to March Madness since 2016.
California faces Division II program Adams State, looking to start the new season off on the right foot. The Grizzlies finished 18-11 last season in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, looking to make the conference tournament final for just the second time in program history. The Golden Bears are looking for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2016.
Wake Forest welcomes Maryland Eastern Shore to the LJVM Coliseum for the first time since 1999. The Demon Deacons have won all three meetings between the schools. While Wake is looking for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2017, the Hawks has only made two postseason appearances since moving up from NAIA in 1973-74 but never in the NCAA Tournament.
In the second half of the Tampa doubleheader, Florida State faces off against Florida A&M. This is the first meeting on the court between the two programs since 1982, with their 1991 meeting giving the Seminoles the victory via forfeit. Despite an 18-15 record, Florida State declined an invite to the NIT.
No. 11 Louisville welcomes Chattanooga in a series that has surprisingly gone in the Mocs favor. Chattanooga leads the series 6-5, winning the most recent meeting 81-71 in 2023, while the Cardinals last victory came in 2010. Louisville looks to improve on their second round NCAA Tournament exit.
Stanford hosts Eastern Washington in the programs first ever meeting. Despite going 14-19, the Eagles finished in third place in the Big Sky Conference. The Cardinal have made postseason appearances in each of Kyle Smith’s two seasons, but are looking for the programs first NCAA bid since making the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Virginia, ranked No. 9 in the AP preseason poll, welcomes Drexel to Charlottesville. The Cavaliers leads the series 2-0, last defeating the Dragons in the 2011 Paradise Jam.
Virginia Tech looks to defeat Coppin State for the sixth straight time, welcoming the Eagles to Blacksburg. The Hokies look to improve on their 19-13 record last season, while Coppin State looks to stay competitive in the MEAC.
Georgia Tech welcomes Hampton to Atlanta for the first time ever. The Yellow Jackets start the Scott Cross era looking for the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 2021. Both programs are picked to finish at or near the bottom of their conferences.
Another head coach is making his debut, as Luke Murray takes over for Boston College. The Eagles welcome Wagner to Chestnut Hill for the first time ever. Boston College finished 11-20 and are looking for just their fourth NCAA Tournament bid since joining the ACC in 2005.