Here is where each of our college basketball analysts had Virginia ranked:

The Virginia Cavaliers have been a dominant force in the ACC over the past decade. One thing is certain when looking ahead to the college basketball season: Tony Bennett’s team will always maximize its defensive potential. Three out of four analysts ranked the Cavaliers within the top 82. After a very successful 2022-2023 season, where they finished with a 25-8 record and as ACC regular season champions, they earned a 4th seed in the NCAA tournament. With a smothering defense, the Cavaliers ranked 6th nationally in points allowed per game (PA/G) at 60.5, while dictating the pace of their opponents, finishing 277th in points scored per game (PS/G) at 67.8. Despite relying heavily on veteran guards, controlling the pace, and minimizing turnovers, they unfortunately encountered a fast-paced Furman team in the NCAA tournament. Furman was able to accelerate the pace of play, a known kryptonite for the Cavaliers during Tony Bennett’s tenure. This loss marked the end of the road for key players like Armaan Franklin, the team’s leading scorer, and Jayden Gardner, a crucial contributor in rebounding and tenacious defense.

For the 2023-2024 season, the Cavaliers underwent a significant overhaul, retaining only 34.1% of their minutes played and 28.1% of their scoring. Tony Bennett had to rely heavily on the returning players to maintain the high standards Virginia has upheld for more than a decade. Reece Beekman and Isaac McKneely needed to step up and form the next elite Virginia backcourt. True to form, Virginia did not push the tempo, finishing 356th out of 362 teams in PS/G at 62.9. Unfortunately, the guard play did not measure up to the previous season, particularly in turnovers per game, where they ranked last with 8.1 turnovers per game. However, they still excelled defensively, allowing the 3rd fewest PA/G at 59.8. Much of this defensive success came from two of the best defenders in the nation: the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year Reece Beekman and the versatile wing/post defender Ryan Dunn. Relying heavily on an eight-man rotation, Tony Bennett sought major contributions from these players. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers’ season ended with a 23-11 record and an early exit in the play-in round at the hands of Colorado State. With the loss of Beekman and Dunn to the NBA—Dunn as a first-round draft pick and Beekman signed to a two-way deal—Virginia lost 35.4% of its scoring. The season was less successful than what fans have become accustomed to over the past decade, partly due to the inexperience of the team, as nine of the 16 players on the 2023-2024 roster were freshmen or sophomores. They will aim to return with a more experienced team in 2024-2025 and reclaim their place at the top.

In the upcoming season, Virginia will bring back six players, including their second-leading scorer, Isaac McKneely, and frontcourt shooting threat Andrew Rohde. Blake Buchanan, who joined as a top-100 recruit but played a limited role last season, will look to solidify himself as a key interior threat. Leon Bond III, another highly touted recruit, will aim to fill the void left by Ryan Dunn, playing a critical defensive wing role. These four returning players are expected to make a major impact, but they are not the only ones to watch. Virginia also acquired talented players through the transfer portal: electric and competitive guard Dai Dai Ames from Kansas State; highly-touted five-star recruit and stretch big man TJ Power, who struggled to find his role at Duke; veteran forward Elijah Saunders, a 3&D wing from San Diego State; bruiser Carter Lang, who returns to Virginia after being named first-team All-State for his junior and senior seasons and transferring from Vanderbilt; and versatile guard/forward Jalen Warley from Florida State. This year’s roster is filled with high-production, high-character players who align with Virginia’s values and system.

In total, Virginia is bringing back 44.2% of their minutes from last season. With the addition of key veteran transfers, they will look to regain their spot at the top of the ACC. The roster construction this season mirrors the very successful 2022-2023 season, with strong veteran guard play and defensive intensity. They will aim to control the pace and stifle opponents with their trademark defense. I believe Tony Bennett will prepare his squad for a successful season and recapture a top seed in the ACC.