21. Virginia (8-1)
It’s the first year in town for Ryan Odom and these Cavaliers and it’s gotten off to a notably solid start. The early weeks saw Virginia winning big as expected in some easy home games before a tough first loss against Butler two weekends ago. However, this team is fresh off a brilliant beginning to their month of December and has certainly earned some attention their way.
The Cavaliers made a statement Wednesday as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, getting an emphatic 88-69 road win at Texas. Chance Mallory scored 16 points off the bench while Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grunloh had 15 apiece in a fine team performance. Virginia knocked off another solid team over the weekend, winning 86-73 over Dayton out in Charlotte. Jacari White starred with 25 points and was perfect from the floor, including seven 3-pointers in the win.
This certainly was a great time for Virginia to get their two best wins of the young season and both by double figures. We’re still just scratching the surface on this season and Odom’s tenure, but the Cavaliers certainly look like a team that can make noise in an ACC that’s been weaker in recent years. They get something of a break coming up, as the only game in the next twelve days is at home against Maryland Eastern Shore.