Virginia hoops releases nonconference schedule

On Wednesday, UVa released its full slate of nonconference opponents for the upcoming men's basketball season. Some of these foes were already known, as I mentioned at the end of June, but now fans can see all of them. Days were announced as well, but most of the times and TV assignments will be released later.

Here are the dates and opponents:

Tuesday, Nov. 6 vs. Towson
Sunday, Nov. 11 vs. George Washington
Friday, Nov. 16 vs. Coppin State
Wednesday, Nov. 21 vs. Middle Tennessee at Battle 4 Atlantis (Bahamas), 9:30 p.m., ESPN2

Malcolm Brogdon and Co. beat Maryland, 76-65,
on Dec. 3, 2014 in their most recent meeting.

Thursday, Nov. 22 vs. Butler or Dayton at Battle 4 Atlantis (Bahamas), 4 or 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 23 vs. TBA at Battle 4 Atlantis (Bahamas)
Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Maryland
Monday, Dec. 3 vs. Morgan State
Sunday, Dec. 9 vs. VCU
Wednesday, Dec. 19 at South Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 22 vs. William & Mary
Monday, Dec. 31 vs. Marshall

A few quick observations:

• Virginia lost to UMBC (Maryland-Baltimore County) in the huge NCAA tournament upset and now opens the following season facing Towson, a school that is located just about 20 miles from UMBC. Towson is north of Baltimore and UMBC is located to the southwest. I thought that was a "funny" coincidence. Towson hosts UMBC this year and also shares GW, Morgan State, and William & Mary as common opponents with the Wahoos.
• The Cavaliers don't play a true road game until Nov. 28 at Maryland. UVa beat its old crusty ACC rival 76-65 in College Park in the 2015-16 season in their last meeting.
• Middle Tennessee is a solid team to open with in the Battle 4 Atlantis. In 2016, the Blue Raiders famously knocked off No. 2 seed Michigan State in the NCAA tournament as a No. 15 seed. In 2017, MTSU was a No. 12 seed, but I believe it was favored to beat No. 5 seed Minnesota, and did so. Last year, MTSU went 24-7 but lost in the Conference USA tournament and did not make the Big Dance as an at-large team. It lost in the second round of the NIT to Louisville. Coach Kermit Davis was hired by Ole Miss in the offseason. The new coach is Nick McDevitt, who comes over from UNC Asheville.