UVa. releases men’s basketball schedule

A 17-game home schedule, featuring eight games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents and a game against 2009 NIT Champion Penn State in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge, highlights the Virginia men’s basketball team’s 2009-10 schedule released Tuesday (Aug. 25) by the ACC. The 2009-10 season will be Tony Bennett’s first as the Cavaliers’ head coach. 

Among the teams scheduled to visit UVa’s John Paul Jones Arena during the 2009-10 season in addition to Penn State are ACC opponents Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, NC State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. The Cavaliers also host non-conference opponents UAB, Hampton, Longwood, New Jersey Institute of Technology, UNC Wilmington, Oral Roberts, Rider and Texas-Pan American.

Virginia has compiled an overall record of 38-16 in three seasons playing at home in the John Paul Jones Arena.

UVa’s 2009-10 road schedule features the Cancun Challenge in Mexico, games at Auburn and South Florida, and eight games against ACC opponents. The Cavaliers are scheduled to play ACC games at Boston College, Clemson, Maryland, Miami, 2009 NCAA Champion North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

Virginia plays Stanford in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico on Nov. 24 and will play either Cleveland State or Kentucky on Nov. 25. UVa’s home games with Rider and Oral Roberts are also part of the Cancun Challenge. Tickets for the Cancun Challenge games in Mexico are only available through Triple Crown Sports by visiting www.cancunchallenge.net or by calling 970/672-0567.

The Cavaliers open the 2009-10 season against Longwood at the John Paul Jones Arena on Nov. 13.

Of Virginia’s 29 games, 19 will be against teams that participated in postseason play last season.

UVa men’s basketball season ticket holders from last season will be e-mailed ordering information by Aug. 26 and will receive the information by mail shortly thereafter. New buyers may purchase season tickets immediately on line at VirginiaSports.com or by calling the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 800.542.8821 or 434.924.8821. Fans can also order in person at the athletics ticket office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The priority deadline for all season ticket orders is Sept. 15.

Season tickets are priced at $405. UVa faculty and staff members may purchase up to four season tickets at the discounted rate of $324.