Virginia Rolls Past American, Flexes Depth and Defense in Final Tune-Up Before ACC Play
No. 21 Virginia closed out its non-conference slate with authority, steamrolling American 95-51 to improve to 11-1 on the season.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Cavaliers came to handle business, racing out to a fast start and never letting up. This marked their fourth game of the year scoring 90 or more points - a number that says a lot about how this team is evolving offensively under Ryan Odom.
Now, with ACC play looming and a rivalry road trip to Virginia Tech on deck for New Year’s Eve, let’s break down what stood out in this dominant win - and what it might mean moving forward.
Thijs De Ridder Bounces Back in a Big Way
After a quiet outing against Maryland, Thijs De Ridder wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s Virginia’s go-to guy. The Belgian forward came out with purpose and exploded for 21 first-half points, setting the tone early and often. At one point, he was literally outscoring American by himself - and that’s not hyperbole.
By the end of the night, De Ridder had poured in 27 points on a blistering 11-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-4 from deep. He also grabbed eight rebounds, showing off his versatility and physicality on both ends.
When De Ridder is locked in like this - scoring from the perimeter, bullying defenders in the paint, and crashing the glass - he’s a matchup nightmare. And more importantly, he’s the engine that makes this offense go.
Cavaliers Dominate the Paint
Virginia’s size and experience were always going to be a problem for an American squad loaded with freshmen, and that mismatch played out exactly as expected in the paint. The Cavaliers owned the interior from start to finish, outscoring the Eagles 56-16 down low.
In the first half alone, Virginia racked up 26 paint points while holding American to just two. That’s not just dominance - that’s suffocation. The ‘Hoos consistently got high-percentage looks near the rim, whether off cuts, post-ups, or strong drives, while forcing the Eagles to settle for contested jumpers.
This kind of interior presence is something Virginia will need to lean on in ACC play. The ability to generate easy buckets and control the paint - both offensively and defensively - gives this team a margin for error when the outside shots aren’t falling.
Sharing the Wealth: Balanced Scoring on Full Display
Even with De Ridder putting on a show, Virginia’s offense didn’t devolve into a one-man act. Far from it. Five players finished in double figures, and the ball movement was crisp, decisive, and unselfish all night long.
Malik Thomas, Sam Lewis, Elijah Gertrude, and Chance Mallory each chipped in 10 points, while big man Ugonna Onyenso added eight of his own down low. Dallin Hall ran the show with seven assists, and Mallory added four more as the Cavaliers racked up 25 assists on 47 made field goals - a season-high in dimes and a clear sign of the chemistry this group is building.
This kind of offensive cohesion doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a product of trust, communication, and a willingness to make the extra pass. And when multiple guys are touching the ball and staying involved, it becomes a lot harder for defenses to zero in on one threat.
Defense Trending in the Right Direction
Yes, the offense was humming. But what’s quietly becoming just as encouraging for Virginia is the growth on the defensive end. The Cavaliers held American to just 31.7% shooting from the field and 22.9% from three, forcing the Eagles into a barrage of uncomfortable perimeter looks.
American jacked up 35 threes - a clear sign that Virginia’s interior defense was holding firm and funneling the action outside. The Cavaliers also cleaned up the defensive glass, pulling down 31 defensive boards and limiting the Eagles to just 10 offensive rebounds.
Those numbers are impressive, even considering the opponent. And they speak to a team that’s starting to find its identity on both ends of the floor. Virginia’s defense may not yet be at its ceiling, but the progress is real - and it’s coming at the right time.
Bench Production Adds Another Layer of Depth
One of the most promising signs from this game? The bench didn’t just hold the line - it extended the lead. With Jacari White sidelined due to a wrist injury, Virginia leaned on its depth, and the second unit delivered.
Elijah Gertrude was perfect from the field in 15 minutes, adding two boards, three assists, and a steal. He brought energy, efficiency, and two-way impact. Meanwhile, Mallory continued to impress as a freshman, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists - all while looking poised beyond his years.
In total, the bench chipped in 36 points. That’s not just depth - that’s production. And in a conference like the ACC, where matchups can shift quickly and foul trouble is always lurking, having a second unit that can genuinely contribute is a luxury not every team has.
Final Word
This was a game Virginia was expected to win - and win big. But how they did it matters.
The Cavaliers didn’t just rely on talent; they executed. They moved the ball, played connected defense, dominated the paint, and got meaningful minutes from nearly everyone in the rotation.
Now sitting at 11-1, Virginia heads into ACC play with momentum, chemistry, and a growing identity on both ends of the court. The New Year’s Eve showdown at Virginia Tech will be a step up in competition, but if this team continues trending upward, they’ll be more than ready for the challenge.