ALL OF FAME SERIES
As Virginia revs up for increased competition, the Cavaliers believe they've at least proven through their first two games that they possess one critical trait.
"Big picture, I'll say we've been resilient," forward Elijah Saunders, a San Diego State transfer, said. "We've been through a lot in this past month."
No kidding.
Former longtime and national-championship winning coach Tony Bennett retired two and a half weeks before the Hoos' season-opening game. Ron Sanchez was promoted from assistant to interim boss and he's been tasked with effectively blending a rotation that features four transfers, two freshmen and four returners.
VIRGINIA VS. VILLANOVA
Men's basketball
Friday: 5 p.m., TNT
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Where: Baltimore
There would've been a fifth transfer in the mix, but UVa lost former Florida State guard Jalen Warley to the transfer portal only eight days out from the first contest. Then, the Cavaliers were even more shorthanded this past Monday because starting point guard Andrew Rohde missed the bout against Coppin State with a back injury.
Kansas State transfer Dai Dai Ames filled in with 13 points and three assists, though, and didn't allow for any drop off.
"Not having Rohde (on Monday) was the perfect example of that," Saunders continued. "But you know, Coach Sanchez does a good job of saying, 'We're all we got.' So, we're battling through the blows and keep pushing forward."
The Cavaliers (2-0) are unblemished headed into Friday night's meeting against Villanova (1-2) in Baltimore at CFG Bank Arena and want to stay that way.
And Sanchez said he's encouraged with how his squad has played on defense through their two victories. Though the sample size is small, UVa's 50.5 points allowed per game have the Hoos tied for fourth nationally in scoring defense.
With all those newcomers trying to understand and fit into the pack line, he'll take it.
"Where we are right now, I think we have the potential to be a pretty good defensive team," Sanchez said. "I think we have enough size, decent length and I think we have some decent quickness on the perimeter, and if we continue to journey and value the little things, I think this team has a chance to be really good defensively and that's the part of it that's really exciting for me."
Freshman Jacob Cofie, a 6-foot10 forward, has five steals and four blocks on top of his team-leading 13.5 points per game. He's paired well with Saunders in the frontcourt to create matchup advantages in the paint.
Sanchez said, also, that returning standout Isaac McKneely is UVa's best defender right now and that he's helping the rest of the roster adjust.
Saunders said Friday night's clash with the Wildcats will provide more difficulty on defense.
Villanova dropped games to mid-majors St. Joseph's and Columbia, but 6-foot-8 forward Eric Dixon was a second team All-Big East selection last season and the Wildcats added Miami transfer guard Wooga Poplar this past offseason.
"In terms of them being the first major-conference team we'll play, there's a different level of physicality," Saunders said, "different level of size. And we have a young group, so it'll be some guys' first time seeing that level of talent on the floor, but I'm excited for the challenge."
Tip is set for 5 p.m.
Greg Madia [email protected] @GregMadia on X
