Mexico trip among hoops highlights

In taking over a program that won just four ACC games last season, new Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett clearly has his work cut out regardless of whom his team has to face.

But Bennett’s first year at the helm could be more palatable when you consider he’ll only have to face perennial powers Duke and North Carolina once.

Clearly, that’s the biggest positive concerning Virginia’s 2009-10 schedule, which was released on Tuesday.

Last season, UVa lost three games by an average of 21 points to the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.

UVa plays at North Carolina on Jan. 31 and is home for Duke on Feb. 28.

This year’s schedule features a trip to Mexico — Virginia will play Stanford in the Cancun Challenge. If the Cavaliers defeat Stanford, they would face Kentucky and new coach John Calipari.

Five days after returning from Mexico, Virginia will host Penn State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Virginia, which went 10-18 overall last season under former coach Dave Leitao, should be able to rack up some non-conference wins early. UVa’s schedule features a slew of cupcakes, including the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which had a 51-game losing streak — a Division I record — before snapping it last January.

UVa also has return road games against South Florida (Nov. 16) and Auburn (Dec. 7). The Cavs lost to the Tigers at John Paul Jones Arena last year.

Virginia opens its season on Nov. 13 at home against Longwood. The Cavaliers kick off their ACC slate on Jan. 9 at N.C. State.

For the first time in over 10 years, Virginia has no exhibition games.

This year’s ACC tournament will take place in Greensboro, N.C.