NCAA Basketball: Top 10 teams currently underachieving in 2019-20 season

3. Virginia Cavaliers

Record: 10-2

The only team whose presence on this list may be questionable is the Virginia Cavaliers. In all honesty, it is clear that things were going to be tough this season, given they lost three spectacular weapons in Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter, and Ty Jerome. It might even be argued that to see them sitting at 9-2 is spectacular for the way things are.

Some Virginia fans were willing to admit this seemed like a year for them to just try not to be bad, so seeing them where they are may be pleasing. For Head Coach Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers, however, this is not the case. Their incredible defense has allowed them to suffocate and destroy some fairly talented offenses, yet, they do not have much of an offensive identity of their own.

To lose on the road to Purdue in the manner in which they did, then to drop a home game to a South Carolina team that is far from great, are things that nobody thought they would witness this Virginia team do.

The questions the Cavaliers now face revolve around offense. Senior forward, Mamadi Diakite, and Sophomore guard, Kihei Clark, were key contributors defensively and to the offensive depth of this team last season. Now, they are forced to be the guys to provide the offensive spark.

Diakite and Clark have averaged 13.9 and 9.0 ppg, respectively. Jay Huff is adding to the scoring with 9.2 ppg, while Braxton Key adds 8.8. It is clear they have options, but as a team, they are averaging only 54.3 ppg.

With this fact, Virginia is going to have to continue to win games on defense, where they give up only 46.5 ppg. That stat makes them 1st nationally in team defense.

In ACC play, things will get more difficult, but I am confident Virginia will be able to do what it takes to stay toward the top of the conference.  This is still a very solid NCAA Tournament squad.