The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team is gaining momentum with an 11-1 record heading into ACC play. ESPN's Joe Lunardi projects them as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, facing No. 11 Belmont. Their only loss came against Butler in non-conference action.
The Virginia Cavaliers have built strong momentum this season under new head coach Ryan Odom. With freshmen Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grünloh contributing alongside veteran leaders, the team stands at 11-1 overall. Their sole defeat was a 80-73 loss to Butler, but they have otherwise dominated non-conference opponents.
As they prepare for their ACC opener against Virginia Tech on December 31 at 2 p.m. EST, bracketologist Joe Lunardi of ESPN has Virginia slotted as a No. 6 seed in his latest projection. The Cavaliers would face No. 11 Belmont in the tournament. Michigan holds the top overall seed, while Oklahoma State is the first team projected out and Oklahoma the last team in.
In a recent postgame press conference, Odom reflected on the team's growth. "We feel good. We certainly, we would have loved to have beaten Butler, but we didn't. I think we've developed some shared experiences," he said. He highlighted the recent game against Maryland as a turning point that taught the players to stay focused regardless of the opponent or score. Odom emphasized the need to handle increasing pressure in the ACC, noting the league's strong start compared to competitors.
With much of the season remaining, these projections could shift, but Virginia's early success positions them well for a potential high seed come March.
