On my way out of JPJ late Tuesday evening, a game-staff attendant remarked, “Virginia Basketball is still a thing of beauty, just a lot different.”
I nodded in agreement with his comment.
But on my walk to my vehicle, I thought, no, it really isn’t that much different from what we watched under Tony Bennett and interim coach Ron Sanchez last season.
First, let’s go over the details.
UVA comfortably defeated another weaker opponent, beating Hampton, 91-53, last night. It was the Cavaliers’ third similar blowout this season.
ICYMI
But as they say, “ball doesn’t lie,” and in this case, neither do the official stats.
To many, it may seem that the Ryan Odom-coached Cavaliers are playing at a much faster tempo than Coach Bennett’s Embrace the Pace style.
If that’s the case, then you’re completely mistaken.
In Tuesday’s game, Virginia had a total of 63 possessions, resulting in 1.44 points per possession.
In comparison, during the 2023-2024 season, Bennett’s final year in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers averaged 60.1 possessions per game.
So, if numbers don’t lie, and they don’t, why is Virginia scoring at a much higher rate than Bennett’s teams?
Answer: efficiency and shot selection.
Odom’s style of play tends to rely more on shots from beyond the arc and at the rim, rather than midrange jumpers, which are harder to make, and if made, only count for two points.
Conclusion: shots near the basket have a higher success rate than midrange jump shots, and three-pointers outperform two-pointers.
Having watched VCU play multiple times last season (I had this hunch about Odom), the first thing I thought was that the Rams appeared to play much faster than Virginia.
Until I reviewed the final game stats, when what stood out to me first was that the Rams were playing within the same range of total possessions as UVA.
Looks can often be deceiving.
Too many cupcakes?
First Rider, then North Carolina Central, next, Hampton.
Not exactly Murderers’ Row.
The word was that Tony Bennett never sought help when organizing the non-conference part of his schedule.
For obvious reasons, Bennett himself knew best what his team needed, what challenged them, and what they could handle during different phases of the pre-conference part of the season.
When I asked Odom the purpose of the early-season slate – I didn’t use the term “cupcakes” – he didn’t hesitate in answering, “roster depth.”
Odom, like in previous contests, experimented with several lineups during the game. At times this season, watching Odom sub players in and out has been like watching a hockey team make shift changes.
Chance Mallory is coming off the bench for Dallin Hall at the point. Odom’s big men are seemingly rotating in and out on every clock stoppage.
Ten players logged double-digit minutes for Virginia against the Pirates, and they weren’t just garbage time; they were, as Odom noted, “purposeful” minutes.
When every player contributes in some way, it allows the coach to build his roster and see different combinations play together on the floor.
So yes, the early-season schedule makeup has been helpful to Ryan.
Remember, this team was practically built from scratch, in just a couple of months.
Despite the unfamiliarity, the guys look comfortable
Keep in mind, it wasn’t until mid-June that the majority of the current roster even stepped on the floor together.
This is where I think Odom’s team-building skills have been on full display.
Early-season games are often periods of inconsistent basketball.
On a few possessions, the team could look like Final Four material, then, just like that, they resemble more of a high school JV squad.
Virginia has been consistent so far this season.
When they rotate the ball, they do so with precision.
The players are communicating well with each other, moving smoothly without the ball, and, get this, actually attacking the glass for a rebound.
OK, there were some lazy passes, which can happen occasionally with huge leads, you know, due to human nature, but those are correctable mistakes.
The schedule is about to take it up a notch, and these first three games served a purpose.
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