Five on five: Virginia and Syracuse, a rivalry reawakened?

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Virginia versus Syracuse was once a budding rivalry as Tony Bennett and Jim Boeheim were among the best coaches in the sport. But over the past decade, the two programs have generally trended in opposite directions. In the past 10 seasons, the Cavaliers have reached 20 wins eight times while the Orange have done so just three times.

Syracuse is hoping to change things. A new chapter is being written under Coach Gerry McNamara, a former Orange player and recently the head coach at Siena. His team will host Ryan Odom’s Virginia squad during the 2026-27 season. Here is how the teams match up:

PG: Chance Mallory (So.) versus Garwey Dual (Sr.)

Mallory’s 2025-26: 0 GS, 36 GP, 24.1 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.7 RPG, 42.2% FG, 34.5% 3PT

Dual’s 2025-26 (McNeese): 17 GS, 34 GP, 26.5 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.9 RPG, 45.6% FG, 31.6% 3PT

Primarily a bench piece during his first two seasons of high-major basketball, Dual transferred down to McNeese last season and performed well. He was a high-quality defender and seldom turned the ball however. Mallory may be the fastest, most agile guard Dual has faced — and Virginia should have a significant advantage in this matchup.

Advantage: Virginia

SG: Jurian Dixon (R-Jr.) versus Gavin Doty (Jr.)

Dixon’s 2025-26 (UC Irvine): 35 GS, 35 GP, 30.4 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 2.5 APG, 3.6 RPG, 43.0% FG, 38.5% 3PT

Doty’s 2025-26 (Siena): 35 GS, 35 GP, 36.8 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 2.2 APG, 6.9 RPG, 45.8% FG, 32.6% 3PT

This will be an interesting matchup in the game. Doty, a mid-major transfer, dropped 21 points in Siena’s six-point loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. Doty is a unique player, a genuine scorer who is not afraid to make the hustle plays and dive for the basketball. There will be questions about his adjustment to facing superior athletes in the ACC, but he could be Syracuse’s best player.

Advantage: Syracuse

SF: Sam Lewis (Sr.) versus Aiden Tobiason (Jr.)

Lewis’ 2025-26: 35 GS, 36 GP, 25.4 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 1.4 APG, 3.6 RPG, 45.5% FG, 40.3% 3PT

Tobiason’s 2025-26 (Temple): 31 GS, 31 GP, 35.2 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 2.1 APG, 3.7 RPG, 47.8% FG, 34.3% 3PT

A generally efficient scorer, Tobiason could help the Orange. However, he will be adjusting to a new role, a massive jump in competition and fewer shot opportunities. Factor in subpar defense, and Lewis has a major advantage in this matchup.

Advantage: Virginia

PF: Thijs De Ridder (So.) versus Sadiq White Jr. (So.)

De Ridder’s 2025-26: 36 GS, 36 GP, 27.7 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 1.6 APG, 6.2 RPG, 50.8% FG, 35.7% 3PT

White’s 2025-26: 11 GS, 31 GP, 15.1 MPG, 6.1 PPG, 0.4 APG, 3.3 RPG, 54.7% FG, 36.8% 3PT

De Ridder was First Team All-ACC — no power forward should be regarded as better than him to start the 2026-27 season. White is promising, and was underutilized by the previous staff, but he will have to prove himself as a full-time starter this year.

Advantage: Virginia

C: Johann Grunloh (So.) versus Luke Wilson (R-Jr.)

Grunloh’s 2025-26: 36 GS, 36 GP, 21.0 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 0.6 APG, 5.2 RPG, 53.3% FG, 35.0% 3PT

Wilson’s 2025-26 (App State): 30 GS, 32 GP, 28.1 MPG, 10.7 PPG, 0.6 APG, 8.3 RPG, 64.2% FG, 0.0% 3PT

This will be one of the must-watch matchups of the game. Grunloh is the NBA-style versatile center, while Wilson is more of a rebounder and mauler — most of his best scoring came against subpar mid-major teams. What makes Wilson stand out is his defense, as he was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. This will probably be more of an even matchup, but for now, Wilson could have the edge.

Advantage: Syracuse

Verdict: Advantage Virginia

McNamara was a fitting hire for the Orange. He should generate some significant improvement in year one, but probably not to the extent of Odom's 30-win team from last year. This should be an exciting road battle for the Cavaliers — and they should be slight favorites.

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