Season Outlook
Ever since Tony Bennett took over this Virginia program, it’s been the defense that has been the calling card for the Cavaliers. There was a stretch there where the Cavaliers were among the very best defenses in the nation, even leading the nation in defensive efficiency multiple times. When they won the national championship in 2019, an efficient offense and talented crew of athletes got the job done in part due to their defensive success and their ability to hit outside shots.
The last few years have seen less success for the Cavaliers in both of those categories. The defense has still been strong, but definitely took a step backward the last few seasons, ranking outside the Top 50 in defensive efficiency last season. Additionally, the Cavaliers ranked just 257th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, but have new young talent that should increase that number this season.
Returning all five starters is fantastic for Virginia, but this alone is not why there’s reason for excitement. While it’s great having a point guard like Clark with real experience and important pieces like Gardner and Beekman, it’s that added depth that could be just as important. Vander Plas should play a vital role in the frontcourt while each of those four freshmen has the chance to contribute from the beginning for this defensive-minded program.
This leaves us wondering just what to expect from Virginia this season. On paper, it’s hard to put them on the same level as those talented teams at Duke and North Carolina. However, we’ve seen what Bennett has done in the past, sometimes with even less talent. If Virginia’s defense returns to its former glory and if these young pieces can contribute to an offense that has slipped in past year, we could very well be looking at another very impressive Cavaliers team, perhaps one competing with those two top dogs for the ACC crown.