The 2024–25 college basketball season finally dawns upon us, but for many supporters of the Virginia Cavaliers’ squad, excitement and anticipation quickly turned to angst and apprehension after one of the biggest upheavals in the history of the program. It has now been over two weeks since Tony Bennett abruptly announced his retirement from his position as head coach in a decision that sent shockwaves across the NCAA. Bennett, who had held the role since 2009, parted ways with the program with very little warning, citing a desire to prioritize family, as well as feeling unsuited to lead given the changing dynamic of college basketball as a whole. The departure occurring immediately before the season closely resembles the retirement of UNC legend Dean Smith, whose announcement came at the beginning of the season in order to guarantee his assistant would get an opportunity to lead the team. With the season right around the corner, the athletic department had no time to conduct a thorough search and instead handed the reins to trusted assistant Ron Sanchez, who served under Bennett as an assistant from 2009–2018 and returned in 2023 after his first head coaching stint at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Despite boasting a lackluster record there (72–78 in five seasons at the helm), there remains buzzing optimism as it becomes increasingly clear how the program aims to move forward in the longtime leader’s absence.
After a frustrating 2023–24 season in which the Cavaliers posted seven games with less than fifty points of offense—by far the most instances of this occurring in a season in the Bennett era—it was evident that changes would be necessary. Even prior to Bennett’s departure, rumors began to fly that the staff would be transitioning towards a new, revamped strategy that emphasizes an offensive pace more adapted to the current era of college basketball. In a sense, this passage of the baton to Sanchez comes at a very appropriate time, given the potential turning point in the team’s play style as well. Despite this, very troubling news was reported by CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein very shortly after Bennett’s retirement, attesting that the Cavaliers had lost a closed-door scrimmage 49–71 against midmajor VCU. Assuming this report to indeed be true, it surely seems as if there is a great deal of work left to be done with respect to revamping the offense.
Even with all the changing dynamics in the front office, perhaps the biggest question mark heading into the season lies within the players themselves. The two most impactful departures lie in the losses of defensive standout Ryan Dunn, who was selected as a first-rounder in the NBA draft, and longtime star Reece Beekman, who graduated and is also now under contract in the pros. This dynamic duo combined for over one-third of the Cavaliers’ offensive production last season, and each major statistical category (points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals) was led by either Dunn or Beekman. Nevertheless, sharpshooter Isaac McKneely returns, and the team should also get a boost from the additions of transfers T.J. Power and Elijah Saunders, from Duke and San Diego State, respectively. The development of Blake Buchanan is also something to keep an eye on: the 6’11” second-year showcased a great deal of talent last year, albeit unrefined. At point guard, the ripple effects of Coach Bennett’s departure are already wounding the program: Jalen Warley, the anticipated leader of the backcourt, entered the transfer portal last week; no landing spot has been announced yet. Dai Dai Ames, a Kansas State transfer, is expected to start in his absence.
Fortunately, the team is slated with what seems to be a relatively manageable schedule: only five contests come against teams who made last year’s tournament: Tennessee, Florida, Duke, NC State, and North Carolina. A potential matchup against Baylor also looms, depending on the outcomes of the first-round games at the Baha Mar Hoops invitational tournament. The game against the Volunteers on November 21 will be the first true litmus test as to whether this year’s team has a reasonable chance at contending. Prior to this marquee matchup, the Hoos have already faced Campbell, and will clash with Coppin State at home, as well as a neutral-site contest versus Villanova. With limited opportunities to prove themselves against already-established programs this year, it seems as if these few games will be of utmost importance to offer a good impression to the selection committee, who has looked favorably upon the Cavaliers in the past: last year, although many analysts did not expect it, Virginia was granted a play-in bid.
With the present state of the team, it seems as if the ceiling is set for another fringe tournament entry, but the floor serves as an unsettling reality, given that the program has not seen a losing season in nearly a decade and a half. Ron Sanchez has enormous shoes to fill; so much of UVA’s significance in the athletic landscape is attached to Tony Bennett’s namesake, and for a fanbase that has grown accustomed to success, the task is daunting. Especially given the current state of name, image, and likeness (NIL), transferring, and an increasingly offensively-oriented sport, he faces a great deal of pressure to ensure that the program’s legacy is not tainted or corroded in Bennett’s absence. Despite being a trial year in many ways for the interim head coach, it also serves as a make-or-break year for his—and the program’s—future. A glimpse into this future has already begun, with the Cavaliers conquering the court 65-56 against Campbell this past Wednesday. Be sure to tune in on Monday at 7:00 PM as the Cavaliers take on Coppin State.
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