Virginia basketball is gearing up for March Madness with a solid 29-5 record, earning them the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region. Their journey starts in Philadelphia against the No. 14 seed Wright State, the Horizon League Champion, on Friday at 1:50 p.m. on TBS.
Should they advance, the Hoos could face No. 6 seed Tennessee, who awaits the winner of the Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU First Four matchup.
The Cavaliers are aiming for a Sweet 16 spot, with predictive metrics giving them a 52.4% chance to advance past the first weekend. While UVA hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game since their 2019 National Championship, they hold a respectable 35-25 all-time tournament record, with Final Four appearances in 1981, 1984, and 2019.
This season, Virginia finished second in the ACC regular standings and reached the ACC Tournament Championship Game, falling to Duke, the top overall seed. Throughout the season, they secured wins over several tournament-bound teams like Texas, NC State, and Ohio State.
The Hoos wrapped up their season with a 13-2 record in their last 15 games, only losing to Duke. Coach Ryan Odom believes this gives the team confidence heading into the tournament.
"They’ve won some big games down the stretch," Odom said. "These guys should take tremendous confidence going into the NCAA Tournament.
You can’t have an off night anymore. You gotta be ready."
Odom's first season saw him assembling a team with depth and experience, bringing in 12 new players and regularly rotating nine players who contribute significantly. This includes seniors and grad students like Malik Thomas and Jacari White, along with international players with professional experience. This blend of seasoned players has been crucial for Virginia.
Odom, with his own NCAA Tournament experience from leading four different schools, has fostered a team environment built on trust and understanding. "It’s like a quarterback and a quarterback coach," he explained. "The more seasoned they become, the more trust the coaches give them."
As for common opponents, Virginia and Wright State both faced California, Marshall, and Butler, with varying results. The Hoos defeated California and Marshall but fell to Butler, while Wright State lost to all three. Despite this, both coaches recognize the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Wright State coach Clint Sargent, confident in his team’s ability, stated, "These guys are fearless and confident. This game’s going to come down to great discipline, but I don’t anticipate it being too much for our players."
Both coaches appreciate the significance of reaching the tournament. Odom remarked, "That’s the joy of coaching.
I want these guys to experience it and take all that it has to offer." Sargent echoed this sentiment, highlighting the joy of seeing his players and their families celebrate the achievement.
With a high seed, Virginia is poised to make some noise in the Midwest Region, drawing praise from national commentators like CBS’ Clark Kellogg. The Hoos are ready to embrace the challenge, hoping to leave a mark on this year’s tournament.