6. Virginia Cavaliers
Last Week: No. 5
Virginia, as expected, took care of business in their two games this week while holding both Morgan State and VCU to less than 50 points. The Cavaliers have easily been one of the best defensive teams in the nation so far this season as they have allowed just one team to score over 60 points (Maryland scored 71 when UVA visited). On the whole, Virginia is allowing opponents to score 51.2 points per game (tops in the nation) and they rank fourth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Thanks to these impressive defensive displays, the Cavaliers are undefeated through nine games so far this season. They have not, though, played an extremely rigorous schedule to this point in the year. UVA has been tested a bit early on but they have not played the level of competition as some of the teams ahead of them on these power rankings this week.
Offensively, star sophomore De’Andre Hunter has more than lived up to expectations so far this season. While playing superb defense, Hunter is averaging 15.6 points on .573/.455/.800 shooting to lead the way for the Cavaliers. He has already emerged as seemingly a lock to be selected in the lottery of the NBA Draft.