No. 18 Virginia’s Defense Sets the Tone Ahead of ACC Matchup vs. Syracuse
Virginia’s defense has long been the program’s backbone, and in Saturday’s ACC clash with Syracuse, it could once again be the difference-maker. The Cavaliers are riding a three-game win streak and have won eight of their last nine, but it’s not just the wins - it’s how they’re getting them.
Under first-year head coach Ryan Odom, Virginia (19-3, 8-2 ACC) has added a new wrinkle to its identity. While the defense remains elite - no opponent has shot 50% against them all season - the offense is making noise, too.
The Cavaliers are averaging 83.3 points per game, their highest mark in the last 25 years. That balance has made them one of the more quietly dangerous teams in the country.
Tuesday’s 67-47 win over Pitt was another showcase of what Virginia does best: suffocate opponents. The Panthers shot just 37% from the field, becoming the 12th team this season to be held under 40% by the Cavaliers. Virginia also forced 17 turnovers, racked up 12 steals, and blocked six shots - a defensive clinic by any standard.
“A lot of it's a mindset,” Odom said after the win. “A willingness to play to a good level and give max effort on every possession.”
That mindset has translated into a defensive unit that’s long, disciplined, and relentless. The Cavaliers’ size is a problem for anyone.
Thijs De Ridder, the 6-foot-9 forward, leads the team in scoring (16.7 PPG) and rebounding (6.6 RPG), but he’s also a tone-setter on both ends. Then there’s the twin towers: 7-footers Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso, who’ve combined for 103 blocks this season.
Add in the depth - seven players with double-digit steals, led by sixth man Chance Mallory’s 43 - and you’ve got a defense that doesn’t just slow teams down, it grinds them to a halt.
Syracuse (13-10, 4-6 ACC) comes in searching for answers. The Orange have dropped five of their last six and are just 1-3 against ranked opponents this season.
Monday’s 87-77 loss to No. 14 North Carolina was a mixed bag.
Syracuse shot a respectable 44.6% from the field but struggled from deep (6-of-18) and trailed by as many as 32 before a late rally made the final score more respectable.
Still, there are flashes of promise. Donnie Freeman continues to lead the way, dropping 23 points against UNC to maintain his team-best 18.6 points per game.
When Syracuse gets hot, especially from beyond the arc, they can be a different team. They’re 7-0 this season when shooting 50% or better from the field, and 4-1 when they knock down at least nine threes - a number worth watching Saturday.
That’s where things could get interesting. Virginia’s two conference losses - to Virginia Tech and North Carolina - came in games where they gave up nine or more threes. If the Orange can find rhythm from deep and get Freeman going early, they might have a shot to crack the Cavaliers’ defensive code.
But that’s a tall order in Charlottesville, where Virginia is 11-1 this season and looking to give Odom his fourth straight 20-win campaign - across three different programs, no less. The Cavaliers are playing with confidence, chemistry, and a clear identity. And while the offense may be drawing headlines, make no mistake: it’s the defense that sets the tone.
Saturday’s matchup isn’t just another conference game. It’s a test of styles - Syracuse’s perimeter firepower against Virginia’s interior wall. And if recent history is any indication, the Cavaliers are more than ready for the challenge.