Virginia Basketball: Toughest Matchup Each Projected Starter Will Face in 14-15

The Virginia Cavaliers open the 2014-15 season in just two weeks with a trip down to James Madison. The Cavaliers, coming off one of the greatest seasons in school history, have a fairly easy schedule in November, but things should heat up in December when UVa travels to Maryland and VCU, and hosts Harvard. 

The Hoos will replace two starters from last season's championship squad: Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell. Harris, a former first-team All-ACC performer, may prove easier to replace than Mitchell, one of the top defensive players in the conference over the past two years. 

UVa has a bevy of wing players able to step in and replace Harris' scoring and clutch shooting.

Head coach Tony Bennett and his famed pack-line defense will make it tough on every opponent. The Cavaliers were No. 1 in scoring defense in 2013-14 and No. 9 in defensive field-goal percentage. 

For as good as the Hoos play defense, every opponent will prove to be a different type of challenge. Here is a look at the toughest individual matchup each projected starter will face in the 2014-15 season. 

All stats courtesy of NCAA.com.

Guard London Perrantes: Marcus Paige, North Carolina

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Marcus Paige

Marcus Paige, the 6'1" junior point guard, is a projected first-team All-American and arguably the top point guard in the nation heading into the 2014-15 season. 

Paige, a natural point guard, played 2-guard often last season, mostly out of necessity, with tremendous success. With P.J. Hairston out, Paige was UNC's top scoring option. He hit several game-winners last year, proving to be one of the best clutch players in the country. 

UVa point guard London Perrantes also possesses that clutch gene. Perrantes hit several big shots down the stretch during Virginia's magical run that either won games or put them away. 

The Hoos did a good job on Paige in the only meeting between the schools in 2013-14. Paige scored just nine points. 

That will be difficult to do again this season.

Perrantes is a very good defender, but Paige is like no other player he will face. Paige will bring the ball up the court for the Tar Heels, sometimes looking for his own shot. Other times, he'll look to draw defenders in to create scoring opportunities for teammates. 

Regardless of the outcome, this will be one of the more entertaining individual matchups in the ACC all year. A legitimate star versus a star in the making.

Guard Malcolm Brogdon: Wesley Saunders, Harvard

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Wesley Saunders

Malcolm Brogdon is coming off a breakout season. The junior guard was named first-team All-ACC last season and was Virginia's most talented player. Brogdon, the Cavs' starting 2-guard, also played a lot of point guard. 

Brogdon is equally good on both ends of the floor, so he often defends both guard spots.

Harvard guard Wesley Saunders, the Ivy League Player of the Year, will present a big challenge to Brogdon.

Saunders is a lot like Brogdon, actually. He defends well and is a good shooter, underrated ball-handler and a solid rebounder. There are really no holes in Saunders' game, and Harvard's offense runs through him. 

UVa can't overlook Harvard. Coach Tommy Amaker has led the Crimson to four straight conference championships, three NCAA tournament appearances and two consecutive years with at least one NCAA tournament victory. 

How UVa, specifically Brogdon, defends Saunders will likely determine the outcome of this game. 

Center Mike Tobey: Jahlil Okafor, Duke

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Jahlil Okafor

The Hoos don't play Duke until the end of January. By that time, Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor could be on his way to ACC Player of the Year and first-team All-American.

He has that type of potential. The 6'11", 272-pounder is Duke's next great (likely one-and-done) star. 

Okafor is exceptionally strong and possesses tremendous footwork in the post. He's highly advanced for a big man with a wide array of low-post moves, and he's not in love with the three-point shot like so many big men in this day and age. 

Virginia center Mike Tobey has had his share of struggles against stronger players. He gets backed down easily and becomes passive on offense. He struggles with foul trouble, too.

Tobey is up to 253 pounds this season, so that should help things. 

This will be a good measuring stick for how Tobey has progressed this offseason.

Forward Anthony Gill: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

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Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell could be one of the country's top players in the 2014-15 season. Now a member of the ACC, the Cardinals will meet the Cavaliers twice this season.

With Luke Hancock and Russ Smith gone, coach Rick Pitino will lean heavily on the junior forward. Harrell, who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game last year, appears ready for the challenge. 

Harrell even added some range to his game this summer, per Jeff Greer of The Courier-Journal.

"I really feel like I worked really hard and put in the time and improved," Harrell said. "I'm playing confident basketball right now, and I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at. I'm ready to get the season started.

Anthony Gill, an excellent offensive player, is now a full-time starter. He has a tall task replacing Mitchell on the defensive end, though. He doesn't possess the strength to bang with Harrell for 40 minutes, but he'll have help, courtesy of senior forward Darion Atkins.

An excellent shot-blocker, Atkins will likely help replace Mitchell as UVa's top frontcourt defender.

Forward Justin Anderson/Evan Nolte: Treveon Graham, VCU

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Treveon Graham

It's still unclear who will start at small forward for the Cavaliers. Junior Justin Anderson is the best option, but he was the ACC's top sixth man last season, and Bennett loves his energy off the bench.

Anderson is an excellent defender and one of the best athletes in the country. 

Fellow junior Evan Nolte, a 6'8" sharpshooter, could also start. Nolte is not close to the defender that Anderson is, though.

VCU's Treveon Graham was one of the best players UVa saw all season in 2013-14. Graham hit the game-winning three-pointer in Charlottesville to give the Rams a last-second victory over the Hoos. Graham led all scorers with 22 points, and the Cavaliers had no answer for him.

In last year's meeting, Graham hit eight of his 15 shots, while the rest of his team shot 16-of-43 from the field. You can bet Bennett will make limiting Graham UVa's top priority this season. 

Anderson would be an excellent matchup for Graham. Both players are similarly built with a comparable skill set.