Worthy Challenge

Ranking the matchups in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Plus, transfer chaos may be ending, and a team to watch next season.

Author

Sean Paul
June 29, 2023

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Let's get to Wednesday’s news.

1. Ranking the ACC/SEC Challenge pairings

Kudos to the schedule makes for the ACC/SEC Challenge, which announced its dates, times and matchups on Wednesday. Sometimes in these events, you get games that will be obvious mismatches, instead of the best pairings possible.

And sometimes, you get GREAT games, like Duke heading to Bud Walton arena for the first time ever. How would I rank each matchup? Like so.

1. Duke at Arkansas (Nov. 29, 9:15 pm ET)

Duke could enter the season ranked No. 1. And it could be atop the polls for its first notable road test in 2023-24. With returning sophomores and All-America candidates Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor, we’ll see how a young Blue Devils team fares against a team loaded with experience. The NBA also should be amped for this game. There are probably eight future NBA players between the two teams.

2. Tennessee at North Carolina (Nov. 29, 7:15 pm ET)

This is a bonafide Top 25 matchup, and the type of game North Carolina couldn’t win in 2022-23. Can it pass an early season test? It won’t have to deal with Zakai Zeigler (he won’t be back until conference play due to a torn ACL), so expect Jahmai Mashack and Santiago Vescovi to shoulder the Vols’ point guard duties.

3. Miami at Kentucky (Nov. 28, 7:30 pm ET)

Winning at Rupp Arena isn’t easy, but the Hurricanes return an experienced core, headlined by guard Nijel Pack and rebounding-machine Norchad Omier. Kentucky will likely still be adjusting to its youthful roster, so this will be an important test. Keep an eye on the transfer matchup at the four: Kentucky’s Tre Mitchell is a more traditional stretch-four, while Miami’s Matthew Cleveland is a small-ball forward with terrific athleticism.

4. Clemson at Alabama (Nov. 28, 9:30 pm ET)

Alabama lost four starters from a 31-6 squad that swept the SEC titles. Will the slew of new transfers, including CAA POY Aaron Estrada (Hofstra) and uber-versatile Grant Nelson (North Dakota State) be enough? For Clemson, I’m intrigued to see the senior-season improvement from PJ Hall, who caught NBA attention during the G League Elite Camp.

5. Texas A&M at Virginia (Nov. 29, 7:15 pm ET)

The Aggies finished second in the SEC last season, but it was another season with a slow start to the non-conference slate. With Cousy Award candidate Wade Taylor IV, along with Henry Coleman and Julius Marble all back, perhaps Buzz Williams’ team won’t do that again? Virginia’s only returning starter is ACC defensive player of the year Reece Beekman, so it could be the ideal test. Just be sure you take the under.

6. LSU at Syracuse (Nov. 28, 7 pm ET)

New Syracuse coach Adrian Autry says he’ll mostly scrap the patented 2-3 zone defense. That alone makes them worth watching. Plus, the guard duo of sophomores Judah Mintz and Notre Dame transfer JJ Starling could be one of the ACC’s top tandems. They’ll see an intriguing tandem in new LSU transfers Jalen Cook (Tulane) and Carlos Stewart (Santa Clara.)

7. Mississippi State at Georgia Tech (Nov. 28, 7 pm ET)

New Yellow Jackets coach Damon Stoudamire infused the roster with talent to pair with returning top-scorer Miles Kelly. They’ll need it against Mississippi State. Nothing comes easy against a Chris Jans defense.

8. NC State at Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 9 pm ET)

New coach Chris Beard has an NCAA Tournament-caliber team in terms of talent. The frontcourt of Jamarion Sharp and Moussa Cisse should overwhelm the Wolfpack inside, forcing Casey Morsell, DJ Horne, Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell to make shots. Not sure that’s gonna work.

9. Virginia Tech at Auburn (Nov. 29, 9:15 pm ET)

Consider Virginia Tech’s uninspiring 19-15 season a blip on the radar. Returning point guard Sean Pedulla should make an All-ACC preseason squad, and Hunter Cattoor and Robbie Beran are ideal to flank him. Auburn has perhaps this matchup’s best player in center Johni Broome. Can Tigers guards Denver Jones KD Johnson provide enough support?

10. Missouri at Pittsburgh (Nov. 28, 7 pm ET)

Two of last season’s biggest surprises, both will be adjusting to life without their key players. Missouri lost Kobe Brown and sharpshooter D’Moi Hodge, while Pitt won’t have All-ACC first teamer Jamarius Burton. But while the Panthers do have Blake Hinson back, the Tigers will be adjusting to a mostly new roster.

11. Florida at Wake Forest (Nov. 29, 7:15 pm ET)

The Gators brought in two dynamite mid-major guards in Zyon Pullin (UC Riverside) and Walter Clayton Jr (Iona) to ease the pressure on rising wings Riley Kugel and Will Richard. Feels like they’ll overwhelm this Wake roster.

12. Georgia at Florida State (Nov. 29, 9:15 pm ET)
13. Notre Dame at South Carolina (Nov. 28, 7 pm ET)
14. Boston College at Vanderbilt (Nov. 29, 9:15 pm ET)

We’re to the point of the Challenge where the teams aren’t NCAA Tournament caliber. Each one has some notable aspects — can Florida State avoid another injury-plagued season? How will Mike White’s rebuild progress? Does Micah Shrewsberry need more talent at Notre Dame? How will South Carolina’s new players mesh with Meechie? Do Boston College and Vandy have guys who can make all-league teams? — so I’m going to leave it at that.

After all, with seven games each night, there’s only so many games you can watch at once.

2. NCAA trying to tamp down transfer moves

We may be nearing the end of Transfer Madness. (Doesn’t have the same ring as March Madness. Still workshopping it.)

The NCAA Division I Council proposed changes on Wednesday that would cut the transfer entry window from 60 days to 30 days.

For basketball, this year’s window opened the day after Selection Sunday and ran until mid May. This won’t affect grad transfers; they can enter any time. Undergraduates who have a coaching change also likely would receive a grace period. Anyone who enters after the portal closes would need a waiver.

And that’s where it gets tricky.

Most of the waiver requests have come from football players — 2,224 football players have entered the portal, while roughly 1,750 basketball players entered — but one can expect this to spill into hoops.

A shorter window coupled with fewer approved waivers would almost certainly reduce the free-for-all nature of the last few offseasons. Most coaches are in favor of the changes (less roster uncertainty!) and I’m guessing many fans would feel the same.

ESPN reported the vote for shortening the transfer window will take place during October’s D-I meeting.

3. It feels Wright

Scott Nagy’s Wright State program is among the most consistent in the Horizon League, winning 20+ games in five of his seven seasons and appearing in two NCAA Tournaments. Can they accomplish both next season?

Here’s the skinny.

The Raiders are the only program to have multiple former 20+ point scorers on the 2023-24 roster. Returning guard Trey Calvin posted averages of 20 points and shot 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from the deep. The other 20-point scorer is Tanner Holden, a former first-team All-Horizon selection. He played sparingly at Ohio State last season, but wanted to finish off his career where it started — in the Nutter center. And Wright State should see an immediate benefit with the 6-5 Holden included in the offense.

Yet, sophomore forward Brandon Noel may be the biggest piece to the puzzle. He averaged 13 points, 8.7 rebounds and shot 60 percent from the field. He gives the Raiders a versatile forward to pair with two dominant perimeter scorers. That’s a tall order for any defense.

In all, Wright State’s starting lineup is comprised of four returnees and the likely first player off the bench is Bo Myers, a D-II transfer who shot 40% from beyond the arc in four seasons. Either Myers or returning guard Alex Huibregtse will fill the role of sharpshooting two guard. Both provide a flavor than anyone else in the Raiders’ rotation.

They’ll be the team to beat in the Horizon. And certainly one to watch in March.

State of Play

We usually promote video on demand here, but this is a timely promotion of our 11 am live stream today featuring Scott Drew, Wes Miller and Dana Ford. They’ll discuss the state of college hoops with Jeff Goodman. Click below to get a reminder (and remember to move that morning meeting).

Links as you binge on Indiana Jones movies.

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