ACC road tests include Duke, Syracuse, Virginia

CORAL GABLES — As the Hurricanes men’s basketball team looks to build a resume that will help it secure a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth, they know they’ll get the chance to host a handful of ACC powers — including North Carolina — on their home floor at the Watsco Center.

But some of Miami’s biggest ACC tests will come on the road this season.

The Hurricanes, who are already set to travel to the Wooden Legacy in California this season, will also visit several of the ACC’s top programs including Duke, Syracuse and Virginia once conference play begins.

One of those first major road tests will come Jan. 24 when the Hurricanes travel to the Carrier Dome to face Syracuse. That will be followed by a Feb. 2 game at Virginia against the reigning ACC champion Cavaliers and later, a nationally televised game at Duke on March 2.

“The ACC is the top basketball conference in the nation every year, and it will be extremely tough from top to bottom once again this season,” Hurricanes coach Jim Larrañaga said in a statement announcing Miami’s ACC schedule on Wednesday. “It is a grind, with no easy games. We are excited for this challenge and the opportunities to play some of the best teams in the country every night.”

Among the games Hurricanes fans will be able to enjoy on Miami’s home floor is the ACC opener against North Carolina State on Jan. 3, and a matchup against North Carolina on Jan. 19. Instate rival Florida State is set to visit Miami on Jan. 27, while Notre Dame visits on Feb. 6.

The Hurricanes finished with an overall 22-10 record last year and were third in the ACC with an 11-7 record in conference play.