We get our first look at the Ryan Odom version of UVA Basketball, with the ‘Hoos hosting Villanova in an exhibition on Friday night at JPJ.
The regular season is 10 days away: the first game that counts is UVA vs. Rider on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.
This one, unlike the game down at Vanderbilt last week, is on streaming – ACCNX.
Game Coverage
First TV timeout: UVA 8-6, 15:14/1st
First impressions: Johann Grunloh gives me Jay Huff vibes. He made a three, as did Malik Thomas.
Faster pace, pressing full court, but it’s token.
Playing at this tempo, guys are going to get on the floor.
Already eight guys in the lineup.
Good to see Chance Mallory, the frosh, getting in early.
Villanova timeout: UVA 15-8, 12:50/1st
Ryan Odom Ball debuts: Thijs de Ridder forces a turnover in the backcourt, scores on a dunk. The press forces a turnover, leads to a Devin Tillis three.
Third TV timeout: UVA 25-19, 6:45/1st
Game is at a 63.4 possession pace, so, a little faster than Tony Bennett Ball.
Eleven guys have seen action now for Odom.
Nine guys have scored.
FG: 10-of-18; 4-of-9 on threes, 5-of-6 at the rim, 1-of-3 midrange.
UVA has six steals, but also six turnovers (three by Chance Mallory).
UVA timeout: 7-0 ‘Nova run, 28-27 UVA, 5:06/1st
Sloppy: two dribble into traffic turnovers leading to runouts.
Ugonna Onyenso, career 0-for-1 from three in three seasons coming in, is 1-for-2 from three tonight.
Final first-half media TO: UVA 37-33, 2:34/1st
Virginia has 10 fast-break points already in this one.
Shooting 8-of-14 from three.
Half: UVA 40, ‘Nova 35
Virginia: 15-of-28 FGs, 8-of-16 3FGs, 6-of-8 at the rim, 1-of-4 midrange.
Villanova: 14-of-27 FG, 3-of-11 3FGs, 9-of-13 at the rim, 2-of-3 midrange.
Ten UVA guys scored, led by Malik Williams – nine points (3-of-5 FG, 2-of-2 3FG, 1-of-1 FT).
Context on the 13 fast-break points: Virginia averaged 4.1 fast-break points/g last year.
Tempo: 33 possessions, so, a 66.0 possession pace.
First media TO of second half: UVA 51-40, 15:56/2nd
Jacari White has a couple of threes. Neither have been of the spot up, get the kickout, hit the open three variety.
He’s a rhythm shot guy. Reminiscent to me of Curtis Staples.
Dallin Hall: five points, five assists, one turnover, 14 minutes.
Jacari White made three
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr👌
Jacari for 3
📺 @theACCDN pic.twitter.com/IuKKKoBVBH
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) October 24, 2025
Second media TO of the second half: UVA 55-47, 11:58/2nd
Malik Thomas, very quietly, has 11 points. Just filling the stat sheet.
Too many midranges: 3-of-4 already this half, which, great, they’re falling, but that can be fools’ gold.
Johann Grunloh finishes on a nice give-and-go
Fire me up 17‼️
Johann Grünloh through contact for the and 1
🔸⚔️🔹#GoHoos
[[ContentDescription] pic.twitter.com/nu2lL9QZjI— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) October 25, 2025
Villanova timeout: UVA 62-58, 7:02/2nd
Virginia has missed six of its last seven shots, allowing ‘Nova to cut into what was a 10-point lead.
When you play 11 guys, an issue can be, who is the guy?
Final media timeout of regulation: UVA 66-62, 3:12/2nd
The UVA offense has bogged down: just seven points since the 11:06 mark.
Shooting 2-of-12 from the floor since then.
‘Nova has outscored Virginia 13-7 over the stretch.
Meaning: the defense has been doing its part.
Odom is using his bench: 70 minutes for the UVA bench (‘Nova bench minutes: 42).
‘Nova timeout: UVA 73-68, 37.5 seconds left
Are the coaches playing this like it’s a regular-season game?
Kevin Willard has played three starters 30+ minutes.
Answer: yes.
Final: UVA 75, Villanova 72
A couple of UVA turnovers in the final 30 seconds gave Villanova, which only led for 20 seconds all night, a chance at a game-tying three.
Acaden Lewis got a decent look from the top of the key, but was short.
Quick recap: New-look ‘Hoos hold on for gritty win
A lot to like here out of this 75-72 win.
The two coaches approached it like a regular-season game, ‘Nova made it close in the final minutes, so there was game pressure, and, yes, Virginia came away with the dub, which is nice.
I love the idea of doing these games as prep much better than the Tony Bennett closed scrimmages.
We had probably 9,000 people here, lights, cameras, action, pressure possessions on both ends, pressure free throws.
Good stuff here.
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Chris Graham
