CHARLOTTESVILLE — Ryan Odom liked what he saw in the first few months his new Virginia basketball team practiced together. He was pleased with the progress the rebuilt roster made as summer gave way to fall.
And with a ton of older, experienced players in the gym, Odom felt like his Cavaliers were, in many areas, ahead of schedule preparing for Monday’s season opener against Rider.
But, through it all, Odom reminded himself and his squad of one inevitable truth about gauging how good the 2025-26 UVA team really is.
“Your opponents eventually tell you,” Odom said.
What will Virginia look like in Year 1 under Odom, a coach who guided his previous three schools — UMBC, Utah State and VCU — to NCAA Tournament appearances? The Cavaliers offered a glimpse of their new style of play when they edged Villanova 75-72 in an exhibition at John Paul Jones Arena on Oct. 24.
What did their opponent say about them on that night?
“Their physicality kind of surprised us early on,” Wildcats first-year coach Kevin Willard, the former Maryland and Seton Hall big whistle, said. “I thought they were physical on both ends.”
Chalk that up both to Odom’s design and a hearty dose of old-man strength.
Virginia’s roster includes four graduate transfers, a senior and a junior. Two of the players officially listed as freshmen — Thijs DeRidder and Johann Gruenloh — played professionally overseas.
“We have that experience throughout the roster that can pay dividends for us,” Odom said. “But ultimately, they have to play well together.”
There were signs of that, as well, against Villanova.
A team chock full of players used to being the top dogs on their previous teams appear to have adjusted well to Odom’s edict to play “unselfish” basketball.
“We’re not usually dominated by one guy,” Odom said. “All of these guys understand that.”
Malik Thomas, a transfer from San Francisco, and Sam Lewis (Toledo) were both their team’s leading scorers last season. Jacari White finished with the second-most points at North Dakota State, as did Devin Thillis with UC Irvine.
The roster is full of accomplished 3-point shooters — another big part of Odom offenses — and skilled ball-handlers.
Point guard Dallin Hall played in 100 games, making 61 starts, at BYU before joining UVA this offseason.
Against the Wildcats, the Cavaliers did indeed share the ball, assisting on 15 of their 24 made baskets.
“The talent we have, it’s going to be fun to see how everything jells together,” said Thomas, who scored a team-high 16 against Villanova. “It just takes time.”
Odom felt there were stretches in the exhibition where the ball didn’t move, and his team’s 18 turnovers were a major concern.
Defensively, UVA has the depth to play true to Odom’s preferred form — employing a full-court pressure defense that both eats time off the shot clock and forces turnovers.
The Cavaliers have a pair of capable rim protectors in Gruenloh and Ugonna Onyenso, and strong perimeter and on-ball defenders, none feistier than local product Chance Mallory, a true freshman from Charlottesville.
“He’s always played against older guys and has never really been fazed,” Odom said. “While he is a first year now, he doesn’t play like a first year.”
In the early part of the season, Odom wants to see the group make strides, particularly, with its switching defense.
Odom believes UVA will play 10 deep, at least early in the season, both a nod to the depth of talent on the team and the taxing style of play the new coach favors.
“When you’re pressuring up the court, it takes a certain level of fitness to do that,” Odom said. “It’s really tough to play 30-plus minutes playing that hard. You definitely want eight, nine, 10 right in there.”
UVA, which has won 11 of its past 12 season openers, won’t have to wait long for a formidable test. After following the opener with home games against North Carolina Central, Hampton and Marshall, UVA is scheduled to play Northwestern and Butler on Nov. 21 and 23 in neutral-site contests in West Virginia.
The Cavaliers also play December nonconference games against Texas, Dayton and Maryland before ringing in the New Year with a Dec. 31 ACC opener at rival Virginia Tech.
“Everybody came here for a common goal and that’s to get Virginia back to that national level,” Thomas said. “Getting back to playing championship basketball.”
Will the Cavaliers play at that level in their first season under Odom? Starting Monday night, their opponents will help answer that question.
UVA men at a glance
UVA coach Ryan Odom, flanked by Jacari White, instructs the Cavaliers during a recent practice. (UVA Athletics photo)
Photo by Jamie Holt/Virginia Athletics
Last year: 15-17, 8-12 ACC
Coach: Ryan Odom (first year at UVA)
Season opener: Monday vs. Rider, 7 p.m.
ACC order of finish, as selected by coaches: 1. Duke, 2. Louisville, 3. North Carolina, 4. N.C. State, 5. Virginia, 6. SMU, 7. Clemson, 8. Miami, 9. Syracuse, 10. Notre Dame, 11. Wake Forest, 12. Virginia Tech, 13. Georgia Tech, 14. Pitt, 15. Florida State, 16. California, 17. Stanford, 18. Boston College.
Schedule
November: 3: Rider, 7 p.m.; 7: N.C. Central, 7 p.m.; 11: Hampton, 9 p.m.; 15: Marshall, 2 p.m.; 21: Northwestern*, 5 p.m.; 23: Butler*, 2 p.m.; 28: Queens, 4 p.m.
December: 3: at Texas, 9:15 p.m.; 6: vs. Dayton at Charlotte, noon; 9: Maryland Eastern Shore, 7 p.m.; 20: Maryland, 6 p.m.; 22: American, 6 p.m.; 31: at Virginia Tech, 2 p.m.
January: 3: at NC State, 11 a.m.; 7: Cal, 9 p.m.; 10: Stanford, 2:15 p.m.; 13: at Louisville, 7 p.m.; 17: at SMU, noon; 24 vs. North Carolina, tba; 27: at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 31: at Boston College, 3 p.m.
February: 3: Pitt, 9 p.m.; 7: Syracuse, noon; 10: at Florida State, 7 p.m.; 14: Ohio State**, 8 p.m.; 18: at Georgia Tech, 9 p.m.; 21: Miami, 2 p.m.; 24: NC State, 7 p.m.; 28 at Duke, noon.
March: 3: Wake Forest, 7 p.m.; 7: Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m.
*-at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
**-Nashville (Tenn.) Hoops Showdown
