The Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team is just under 36 hours away from officially launching its highly anticipated 2024-25 season, eager to return to postseason prominence.
As the countdown to the season opener dwindles, I reached out to fans on Twitter to compile a comprehensive final preseason mailbag that will revisit key narratives surrounding the team.
We’re now halfway through the current decade without an NCAA tournament win, despite having rosters far more talented than this one — why should I be optimistic that this is the year UVA breaks the drought?
This stretch has been challenging for the Virginia basketball program, yet as we gear up for a new campaign, it’s essential to spotlight reasons for enthusiasm surrounding this year’s squad.
The assertion that this roster is less talented than those of previous years is indeed valid. Nevertheless, I firmly believe a select few players possess the potential to be game-changers throughout the ACC schedule.
Isaac McKneely emerged as the best shooting guard for Virginia since Kyle Guy and is entering his third year after a solid performance last season, averaging 12.3 points per game and boasting a remarkable 44.5% shooting rate from beyond the arc on 5.5 attempts. He must broaden his skill set as UVA’s primary playmaker, but his shooting prowess provides real potential for stardom.
Elijah Saunders will serve as a versatile Swiss army knife for this Virginia squad. His role will encompass various defensive assignments, from guarding centers to challenging big guards. Offensively, he has the ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting and is set to emerge as one of the team’s top rebounders.
Additionally, UVA is implementing the much-needed schematic changes that have been overdue for several years. These updates should enhance the team’s overall performance level and inject much-needed energy into the offense, even amidst a roster of less proven talent.
A wealth of young players with significant promise bolsters the optimism. If several of these players manage to rise to the occasion, the team could indeed snap its NCAA tournament win dry spell. While some setbacks are likely, including potential double-digit losses, the upside remains bright.
Noteworthy true freshmen like Ishan Sharma and Jacob Cofie are expected to contribute vital energy off the bench early. TJ Power arrives with five-star credentials, while Blake Buchanan possesses the raw tools necessary to evolve into a strong presence in the post. If enough of these athletes surpass expectations, we could witness some unexpected chemistry develop that propels the program toward its first NCAA tournament triumph in six years.
Who do you expect to take the biggest step forward this year and why will this player’s success be vital to the Wahoos’ overall chances in March?
I have not sold my Blake Buchanan stock and remain fully committed to his potential impact. Perhaps I’ll ride the wave with him. Historically, Virginia centers fitting Buchanan’s profile have been enticing.
A defensive frontcourt featuring Saunders and Buchanan could prove exceptionally effective. Buchanan’s ability to protect the rim, coupled with his agility to cover the perimeter, alongside added weight to enhance his physicality in the low blocks, makes him a critical asset.
Everyone loves discussing the paramount importance of guard play in March Madness. However, I believe this Virginia team’s chances rest heavily on its ability to excel in larger lineups. If Buchanan can dominate the paint as a rim protector, effectively masking defensive shortcomings, and finish possessions smoothly at the offensive end, the foundation for success will be much more stable.
Based on what Coach Sanchez ran at Charlotte, what if any changes do you expect from UVA’s offense, defense, and rotations/lineups this year? I know it’s probably not a dramatic departure but how do you see the game plan evolving under Sanchez?
Great question.
UVA’s offensive strategy will see fresh dynamics this year, primarily due to offseason decisions orchestrated by Bennett and his staff rather than solely the transition to Sanchez as interim coach. The Cavaliers will adopt a more spaced floor approach, moving away from heavy reliance on mid-range shots, while implementing new plays featuring horns sets, zoom actions, and a commitment to exploiting individual matchups.
However, some elements of the existing framework will remain intact. The Cavaliers will continue to utilize their signature pin-down actions on the wings, strategically splitting the floor to identify the best shot opportunities while maintaining ball security.
The coaching changes prompted by Sanchez suggest a more balanced focus on defensive integrity. With Warley’s departure, it’s evident that Sanchez values offensive potential as well, as exemplified by the addition of Dai Dai Ames, who is viewed as a more promising offensive asset.
“Especially now that Coach Bennett retired, Coach Sanchez kind of sees me like that, guarding two through five,” he said. “I definitely feel like throughout this past week, they’ve challenged me to guard multiple positions.”
It appears that expectations are high for Saunders to step into some of the defensive responsibilities Warley would have managed under Bennett’s guidance.
On the offensive front, I anticipate Sanchez will likely be less inclined to revert to the traditional, longstanding strategies employed by the program under Bennett. At Charlotte, he effectively executed a read-and-react, four-out offensive style that incorporated fluid cutting, innovative ball screen setups, and a departure from the rigid tactics Virginia has used for over a decade.
While it’s unlikely we’ll adopt that play style this season, the commitment to an open and versatile offensive approach will remain, prioritizing floor spacing and transition opportunities while empowering players to make impactful plays.
Defensively, the Cavaliers will remain committed to their foundational pack-line scheme. While personnel and rotations may undergo adjustments, UVA will continue to rely heavily on ball assistance, hedge most ball screens, establish double teams in the post when necessary, and aim to collapse the defense to secure rebounds.
What does Jalen Warley’s departure mean for Andrew Rohde?
Without Warley in the picture, Rohde’s status shifts dramatically—from competing for minutes to securing one of the primary spots off the bench when the season begins. Rohde is set to assume the role of backup point guard to Dai Dai Ames.
With Warley leaving, UVA loses its essential experience at point guard. Rohde has at least one year navigating the Virginia system, demonstrating solid defensive acumen while maintaining reasonable ball-handling satisfaction. However, his inconsistent shooting percentages last season raised concerns among Wahoo fans, and he does not quite match the defensive shrewdness that made Warley such a valuable contributor.
If Ames or redshirt freshman Christian Bliss emerges with significant improvement, Rohde may find himself further down the depth chart.
Do you expect Sanchez to go away from having two ball handlers on the court at the same time? As in, will Ames/Bliss be able to run the show and keep more shooters on the floor?
I think UVA was poised to pivot away from deploying two ball handlers on the floor, irrespective of Bennett’s retirement. This shift aligns with the current roster dynamics and is amplified by Warley’s exit.
Yet, I remain uncertain how proficient Ames, Rohde, or Bliss will be at generating offensive plays autonomously. There exists a stark contrast between maintaining a fluid offensive flow and the defined responsibilities expected from Virginia’s point guards over the past several seasons.
Of the three contenders, Ames appears closest to embodying the successful point guard archetype that UVA has previously embraced. However, lingering doubts arise regarding his ability to minimize turnovers after experiencing a 25.3% turnover rate relative to his 18.6% assist rate as a freshman.
I remain uncertain. Nonetheless, he possesses a clear opportunity to dominate minutes at the position while the others are likely to function as supporting contributors.
There are so many uncertainties, but where will we see improvement from this team compared to last season?
Determining whether the shift away from mid-range shots while enhancing three-point shooting will yield significant results remains uncertain at this stage. However, it’s unmistakably clear that UVA will enjoy a marked improvement in shot quality this season.
What’s your pitch for fans that are thinking about disengaging and spending less time following this team? Why is it worth it to watch the team this year? Why might this not be the beginning of the end of the UVA basketball program’s status as a heavyweight?
Tony Bennett’s retirement struck a disheartening chord among fans. For those who intimately associate Virginia basketball with his leadership, acclimating to this transition is undoubtedly challenging.
My argument for fans to maintain their engagement this season and beyond centers on the remarkable legacy Bennett leaves. When UVA hired him 15 years ago, the level of success he achieved was unexpected. Why can’t lightning strike twice for Virginia hoops?
This season serves as a litmus test to determine if the Bennett model can persist and thrive despite undergoing changes with Sanchez at the helm. The allure lies in assessing whether the program can continue to operate within Bennett’s framework while striving for a progressive vision. If the Cavaliers secure a strong season and Sanchez solidifies his role, it may invigorate the program in a manner reminiscent of the Bennett era, but with a more innovative outlook.
Should the alternative occur and UVA opts for a national search to find its next head coach, there remains potential inner workings for the program’s revival if the next hire proves astute. There exists a unique thrill in watching a team emerge from the ashes: the lower expectations amplify the excitement for a team on an upward trajectory. Just source perspectives from current Washington Commanders fans for resonance.
Bennett’s reflections during his retirement address suggested that while winning had become a source of relief, losing felt unbearably catastrophic. This sentiment has prolonged amid the fan atmosphere and media perspectives over the last four years. A fresh chapter with a new leader combined with lowered expectations may well alleviate stress for the program and its supporters, even amidst the bittersweet farewell to an unparalleled coaching era.
Bennett diligently embodied the keystone of Virginia basketball for over a decade. Experiencing reduced emotional investment in the wake of his departure is entirely justifiable. Nevertheless, this athletic department and basketball program retains substantial support while pursuing excellence with integrity. The onus lies on maintaining this commitment—for now, there exists ample reason to keep faith in the ‘Hoos.
An be adapted and reimagined under Coach Sanchez’s leadership. Fans should be excited about the opportunity for a fresh approach that still honors the foundation laid by Bennett. With emerging talent and a commitment to revamping the offensive and defensive schemes, we’re likely to see not just a rebuilding year, but an era that could lead to renewed success.
Moreover, the program’s history, strong recruiting, and the development of young players create a fertile ground for growth. The excitement to watch these athletes evolve, coupled with a strategic shift that could revitalize the game plan, is a compelling reason to stay engaged.
As for the long-term implications, the program’s commitment to excellence and the impressive infrastructure built over the years suggest that this is far from the end of Virginia basketball as a heavyweight. The pillars of strong recruitment, a dedicated fan base, and the culture established through years of hard work and discipline remain intact. Thus, fans should tune in not only to support the current squad but to witness the potential beginnings of a new chapter in UVA basketball history—one that preserves the past while boldly stepping into the future.
