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No. 9 Virginia (30-6, 15-3 ACC)
The Cavaliers made a rapid leap in Ryan Odom’s first season, posting this system’s first 30-win season and its first March Insanity wins for the reason that 2018-19 season that ended with Tony Bennett’s membership chopping down the nets. They return three starters this yr, led by the preseason Atlantic Coast Convention participant of the yr in Belgian ahead Thijs De Ridder and German massive man Johann Grünloh. The Cavaliers, who performed for final yr’s ACC Event title, are projected to complete second within the league behind No. 2 Duke.
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Gamers to look at
De Ridder (sophomore, F, 6-9, 246). The multiyear European skilled participant transitioned nicely to American faculty basketball, averaging group highs of 15.6 factors and 6.2 rebounds whereas taking pictures 50.8%.
Sam Lewis (senior, G, 6-7, 216). Lewis was the group’s No. 3 scorer final yr (10.6) whereas taking pictures 40.3% from 3-point vary.
Likelihood Mallory (sophomore, G, 5-10, 170). Mallory is ready for a number one function on the level after averaging 9.3 factors because the group’s prime scorer off the bench final yr. He averaged a virtually 3:1 assist-to-turnover margin.
Departures and arrivals
The Cavaliers misplaced No. 2 scorer Malik Thomas (12.4), reserve guard Jacari White (9.4) and elite rim protector Ugonna Onyenso, who was second nationally by averaging 2.9 blocks.
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The Cavaliers went again to the worldwide professional ranks so as to add German wing Nolan Adekunle, in addition to hitting the switch portal to usher in UC Irvine guard Jurian Dixon (15.9 factors), Arkansas State guard Christian Harmon (12.8), Loyola Marymount guard Jan Vide (12.1) and St. Louis ahead Kalu Anya (redshirted final yr).
Prime video games
Virginia opens the season Nov. 3 at residence towards Drexel, then has an opening-week take a look at towards No. 12 Arkansas in Washington (Nov. 8). There’s additionally a go to from No. 23 Kentucky within the ACC/SEC Problem (Dec. 2) and a recreation towards No. 4 UConn in New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard (Dec. 20).
Virginia opens ACC play Dec. 29 at Clemson, whereas the league slate contains two video games towards second-ranked Duke (Feb. 6 and March 1) in addition to a visit to No. 14 Miami (Jan. 16) and a house recreation towards No. 11 Louisville (Feb. 15).
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Info and figures
The Cavaliers have made it previous the NCAA Event’s opening weekend simply as soon as since 2016, that being the 2019 title run. … Odom is at his fifth faculty as a head coach. His solely tenure with greater than two seasons up to now got here at UMBC, which beat Virginia in 2018 within the first-ever 16-versus-1 upset of March Insanity. … De Ridder is can end as this system’s first ACC participant of the yr since Malcolm Brogdon received it in 2015-16.
