As the fall semester wraps up in Charlottesville, the Virginia Cavaliers are catching their breath during a pre-holiday break. But while the basketball court is quiet for now, there’s still plenty of buzz around Virginia athletics-both past and present, on campus and beyond. From a Hall of Fame nod for one of the program's most respected leaders to former players shining in the NBA, and a glimpse into the future of ACC football scheduling, here’s what’s happening in the world of Cavalier sports this week.
Tony Bennett Headed to Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Tony Bennett’s legacy at Virginia keeps growing-and now it’s getting some official recognition from the state. The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of inductees, and Bennett is among those being honored for their lasting impact on sports in the Commonwealth.
This isn’t just about wins and losses-though Bennett has plenty of those. It’s about the full picture: the culture he’s built, the players he’s developed, and the consistent excellence he’s brought to the program.
Under his leadership, Virginia has become a model of discipline, defense, and development. The Hall of Fame cited both his coaching success and his deep commitment to player growth as reasons for his induction.
The ceremony is scheduled for April, and it’ll be a fitting celebration for a coach who’s not only changed the trajectory of Virginia basketball but also left a lasting mark on the college game as a whole.
Cavaliers Making Noise in the NBA
Virginia’s presence in the NBA continues to grow, and right now, two former ’Hoos are turning heads early in the season.
Trey Murphy III, now in his fifth year with the New Orleans Pelicans, is putting up career-best numbers. He’s averaging 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game-impressive stats that speak to his expanded role and evolving skillset. Murphy’s shooting nearly 49% from the field and hitting 36% from beyond the arc, showing that his offensive game is becoming more complete with each season.
Then there’s Jay Huff, who’s found a new home with the Indiana Pacers after a summer trade from Memphis. In his first season with Indiana, Huff is averaging 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in just over 19 minutes a night. That’s solid production for a big man still carving out his role-and it’s a sign that Huff’s game continues to translate at the pro level.
Virginia currently ranks tied for 16th among all colleges in active NBA players, and the list is growing. Alongside Murphy and Huff, names like De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy, and the recently drafted Ryan Dunn are all part of the Cavaliers’ NBA footprint. It’s a testament to the program’s ability to develop pros who know how to play winning basketball.
ACC Football: Looking Ahead to 2026
While the 2025 Virginia football season winds down, fans already have reason to look ahead. The ACC just announced its slate of conference opponents for 2026, marking the beginning of a new era: the move to a nine-game conference schedule.
Not every team is making the full jump right away-five programs will still play just eight league games in 2026 to meet existing contractual obligations-but Virginia is one of the 12 teams diving straight into the nine-game format. That means a more balanced, competitive schedule and more high-stakes matchups throughout the fall.
Here’s how it breaks down for the Cavaliers in 2026:
- Home games: California, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and Syracuse
- Road games: Florida State, SMU, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest
It’s a compelling mix of traditional ACC rivals and new-look matchups, especially with teams like Cal and SMU now in the fold. And with Virginia Tech on the road, the Commonwealth Clash will once again be a marquee game with postseason implications.
So while the Cavaliers may be on a brief pause before Saturday’s men’s basketball matchup against Maryland, there’s no shortage of momentum across Virginia athletics. From Hall of Fame honors to rising NBA talent and a glimpse at the future of ACC football, this week offers a reminder: the Wahoos are always in motion-even when the scoreboard’s off.