PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Odom has orchestrated an impressive turnaround at Virginia, breathing new life into a program seven years removed from its only national title. With the Cavaliers poised to make a Sweet 16 appearance, they must first tackle Ja'Kobi Gillespie and the sixth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in a highly anticipated Midwest Region second-round clash on Sunday.
Virginia (30-5) has doubled its win total from last season, highlighted by an 82-73 victory over Wright State in the tournament opener. This marks the Cavaliers' first NCAA Tournament win since their 2019 national championship run.
Odom, renowned for leading UMBC to a historic upset over Virginia as a 16-seed, has inspired his team with a montage set to "One Shining Moment," the tournament's unofficial anthem. Since his arrival from VCU last March, Odom has quickly built a cohesive unit through the transfer portal, instilling a deep appreciation for Virginia's storied legacy.
"When Coach brought us here, he stressed the importance of playing for something bigger than ourselves," said Virginia senior guard Jacari White, a transfer from North Dakota State. "We honor the legacy left by those before us, and it shows in our play."
White, a sharpshooter off the bench, delivered a season-high 26 points against Wright State, with crucial 3-pointers that either tied the game or gave Virginia the lead.
"Jacari's one of the best shooters when he's in rhythm," Odom praised. "Seeing that first shot go in was key, and he was unstoppable from there."
Tennessee (23-11) is no stranger to defending against perimeter threats, as they demonstrated by holding Miami (Ohio) shooters Eian Elmer and Brant Byers to a combined 1-for-13 from beyond the arc in their 78-56 victory.
"They like to shoot the three, and they're good at it," Tennessee guard Bishop Boswell noted about Virginia. "We'll need to stay disciplined on the perimeter and make them work for every shot."
Tennessee's Gillespie was instrumental in their last win, posting 29 points and nine assists, even as star freshman Nate Ament went scoreless due to a lingering ankle sprain. Despite his injury, Ament has shown flashes of brilliance, including a 27-point performance in the SEC tournament.
"Nate's battling through it," said coach Rick Barnes. "He's determined to contribute as much as he can, and we'll assess his condition at game time."
Ament averages 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Gillespie leads Tennessee with 18.3 points and 5.6 assists per game. For Virginia, Belgian freshman Thijs De Ridder shines with 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.
As these two teams clash, fans can expect a thrilling battle of strategy and skill, with each side eager to carve their path to the Sweet 16.