NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest takeaways from opening day of 2020-21 season

1. Virginia’s offense makes them true title threats

The Cavaliers dominated Towson as expected but the final score of 89-54 was what opened many eyes. Usually, games involving UVA has them scoring in the 60s and 70s at max. However, their offense looks clearly different, thanks to a pair of transfers. Sam Hauser had 19 points on 7/9 shooting, while Rice transfer Trey Murphy, who just received a waiver days prior, went for a game-high 21 points off the bench on 6/8 shooting from deep.

Of course, Virginia will not be scoring over 80 ppg once they start to face legit competition. Yet considering that they got next to nothing in terms of scoring production from the perimeter and still got 89 to open the season, this team’s offense may not be the weak spot that’ll prevent both an ACC title and possible Final Four run.

2. Tough results for a pair of ACC programs.

Arguably the most surprising result was Pittsburgh losing to Saint Francis for the first time in 30 attempts. The final score was 80-70 but the Red Flash controlled the game from the tip, up by as much as 17 in the first and second halves. Au’Diese Toney had 20 points to lead the Panthers but outside of him, the rest of the team made just 2-22 from three-point range. The Panthers will be in for another long season if they can’t shoot, since their frontcourt production still is lacking.

As for Georgia Tech, the loss to Georgia State isn’t a major deal in itself, since the Panthers are a quality program out of the Sun Belt with power conference talent on its roster. However, this doesn’t help the Yellow Jackets in their quest to make the NCAA Tournament, which probably is what’s needed to save Coach Josh Pastner’s job. With fewer non-conference opportunities this season, Tech’s margin of error for bad losses is now at zero.