CHARLOTTESVILLE — Word about Virginia’s scout team began trickling out midway through last season, how it might be better than the group of Cavaliers who were busy overachieving in ACC play during the 2012-2013 men’s basketball campaign.

With South Carolina transfer Anthony Gill sitting out the year because of NCAA rules and guard Malcolm Brogdon taking a medical redshirt because of a serious foot injury, the two were relegated to playing against their teammates every day in practice. Whether the rumors were true is up for debate, but the impression they made heading into this season is unmistakable.

“They used to kill it. There were days where they would kill us,” said senior Akil Mitchell, a third-team all-ACC selection last season. “They would be fresh. We’d be right after a road game and they would just destroy us in practice, and it makes you step up your game that much more because you know that those guys can play.”

All that talent will finally appear on the court at John Paul Jones Arena on Friday night, when No. 24 Virginia begins its regular season against James Madison. Brogdon and Gill are both likely to be in the starting lineup, and though the reasons why each hasn’t played a competitive basketball game in more than 20 months are different, the duo could be the linchpin to whether the Cavaliers can live up to their considerable preseason hype.

Brogdon will likely be the team’s starting point guard, a 6-foot-5 playmaker capable of bulling his way into the lane or finding teammates in open spots. Whether he can guard opposing point guards remains a question, but his combination of size and skill will ensure he won’t be the offensive liability senior Jontel Evans was a season ago.

Based on his preseason performances, the 6-8 Gill could end up being Virginia’s second-best offensive option aside from star Joe Harris because of the way he can draw contact and get to the foul line. Coach Tony Bennett has called his rugged and aggressive style a natural fit with college basketball’s new defensive rules, which are aimed at increasing scoring.

More importantly, the two players forged a bond through their own competitive nature. Bennett has always admired how Brogdon’s team almost always seems to win in practice, no matter whom he’s playing alongside. Brogdon, meanwhile, describes Gill as so competitive and physical that “a lot of guys don’t like playing against [him].”

“We had a lot of fun playing together and I think that really helped our chemistry in terms of this year,” Brogdon said. “For the future, I think we have really good chemistry and it’s gonna work out well.”

When told of this last month at the ACC’s media day, Bennett cracked: “Yeah, they’re both rusty. How’s that for chemistry?”

“They’re very competitive. They work hard. They’re hungry to do it. But when you sit out --- one for an injury, one for a transfer — you’re gonna be a little off, timing-wise, and I’m looking at them now. When they’re on the scout team: ‘Oh nice job. I wish you were on this first team.’ Well now they’re on there and I’m watching everything and I’m like: ‘You’re not giving the effort. You’re out of a stance. You’re sloppy.’ ”