Virginia looks like the steadier bet in this ACC heavyweight matchup, and that matters because North Carolina is suddenly in a spot it rarely finds itself in: outside the league’s inner circle.
The Cavaliers enter 2026-27 as one of the conference’s title contenders, right there with Duke, while the Tar Heels are trying to rebuild on the fly after parting ways with Hubert Davis and hiring Mike Malone, formerly of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. That reset is happening fast, but maybe not fast enough to cash in against Virginia, even with the game on the road for the Cavaliers.
At point guard, Virginia has Brown’s edge over Mallory. Mallory finished 2025-26 with 36 games played, 24.1 minutes per game and averages of 9.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds, while Brown posted a far bigger season at Utah: 19.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds across 32 starts, along with Honorable Mention All-Big 12 recognition. Brown’s scoring punch and versatility make him the more proven option right now, even if this battle could tighten as the season progresses.
On the wing, Dixon brings the cleaner résumé compared with Able. Dixon’s 2025-26 numbers at UC Irvine - 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 38.5% from three - give him the advantage in production and shooting. Able’s line from NC State, 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds, doesn’t fully capture what he gives a team, but he still has plenty to prove before he can claim the upper hand.
Lewis also gives Virginia a clear edge over Avdalas. Lewis shot it efficiently last season, finishing at 45.5% from the field and 40.3% from deep while averaging 10.6 points.
Avdalas, meanwhile, put up 12.1 points and 4.6 assists at Virginia Tech, but his efficiency slipped as the schedule toughened and injuries forced more onto his plate. The Cavaliers’ guard looks like the more reliable scorer.
The frontcourt matchup tilts Virginia’s way, too. De Ridder’s 2025-26 season was simply stronger than Stevenson’s, with 15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and a 50.8% mark from the field.
Stevenson had 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, but De Ridder stands out as one of the ACC’s tougher power forwards to deal with. That is a real problem for North Carolina.
Center might be the most interesting battle of the night. Grunloh gave Virginia 7.1 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 53.3% from the floor, but Fens arrives with the kind of experience and production that could make him a factor.
He averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds at South Dakota, and if Malone chooses the veteran route, Fens could be the guy. His strength and scoring touch give him a real chance to work Grunloh inside, though Grunloh’s shooting ability becomes a problem if he has added bulk.
In the end, Virginia’s continuity and the success it has already built under Ryan Odom give it a cleaner path. North Carolina is starting fresh under Malone, and with the ACC as deep as ever, the Tar Heels may spend more time than usual outside the top tier.
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Virginia is nearing the end of fall camp with its season opener against NC State approaching, and a few key pieces already look settled. Beau Pribula has the quarterback job, the offensive line has been set, and there are signs the Cavaliers are getting a clearer picture of who they want on the field when the real games start.
But a couple of spots still have a live feel to them, and that is where the intrigue remains for Virginia entering the opener. Running back and cornerback both continue to draw attention in camp, with Middlebrook emerging as part of the conversation and several defensive backs still battling for playing time, leaving the Cavaliers with some important decisions still to sort out before they take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Finally Looks Deeper But One 2026 Question Still Looms
After a fall camp practice, Virginias coaching staff spent some time talking about a roster that suddenly looks less fragile than it did a year ago. Tony Elliott pointed to a defense with more experience, athleticism and versatility, while defensive coordinator Rudzinski described a group that is deeper and more competitive, with players who can handle multiple roles. For a program trying to build something sturdier heading into 2026, that kind of development matters almost as much as any individual standout.
Still, optimism in August only goes so far, and the bigger question around this team is whether that added depth can hold up when the season starts and the inevitable injuries and matchups begin to test it. Virginia appears to have made real progress in physicality and roster balance, but the real measuring stick will be whether those improvements translate from camp into the kind of reliable, week-to-week depth the Cavaliers have been chasing. [Read more 🡒]