The Shadow
CHARLOTTE, Nc. (VR) – Virginia basketball enters the upcoming season with something it did not have a year ago — experience together.
Head coach Ryan Odom said the Cavaliers retained nearly their entire roster after last season, giving the program a foundation it did not have when Odom took over and assembled a new group of players.
“We’re excited about the season,” Odom said. “We were able to retain some key guys and guys that played under the lights this past season and had success.”
Odom said the decision by players to return ultimately came down to their belief that Virginia could help them reach their individual goals while also giving them another opportunity to compete together.
“All these guys want to play at the highest level and play in the NBA,” Odom said. “Ultimately, I believe in my heart these guys felt like they could do that here or else they wouldn’t have stayed.”
The Cavaliers also return players who experienced the highs and lows of last season, including the disappointment of falling short in the ACC Championship.
Odom said that shared experience could be important as Virginia moves into another challenging season.
“When you walk into those locker rooms at the end and the finality of it, that’s really tough,” Odom said. “Part of them, I’m sure — I can’t speak for them — but part of them I think they wanted to come back to give it another go together and didn’t want to see it end.”
The returning players also give Virginia a head start compared to last season.
Odom said the Cavaliers now have players who understand the program’s expectations and have already been through pressure situations, difficult games and disappointing endings.
“They have a working knowledge and can help the new guys,” Odom said.
That experience also allowed Virginia to focus its recruiting on players who would fit with the returning core.
The Cavaliers will face a demanding nonconference schedule before entering ACC play, something Odom believes will prepare the team for what is expected to be another difficult conference season.
“I think the biggest thing was we wanted to challenge ourselves in the nonconference to get us ready for what we know is going to be a really tough ACC this year,” Odom said.
Among the additions to Odom’s staff is Adrian Autry, whom Odom has known for years. Odom said Autry brings experience as both a head coach and high-level assistant, along with playing experience at the collegiate and professional levels.
“He played the game at the highest level, both collegiately and professionally, and has so much to give these guys,” Odom said.
Thijs De Ridder enters his second season at Virginia after adjusting to ACC basketball as a newcomer last year.
De Ridder said the Cavaliers want to put themselves in position to compete for championships again after falling short in the ACC Championship last season.
His individual focus during the offseason was improving his ball handling and control.
“I just worked really hard in summer to improve that,” De Ridder said.
De Ridder also said he now has a better understanding of what to expect from ACC opponents and environments, including Virginia’s home arena.
“Now I’m prepared,” De Ridder said. “Now I know what team we’re going to face, what the environment is going to be like, what JPJ is going to be like in ACC play.”
Chance Mallory, a Charlottesville native, is also entering his second season with the Cavaliers.
For Mallory, wearing Virginia across his chest carries additional meaning after growing up attending games and watching the program.
“It means everything to me,” Mallory said.
Mallory said he spent the offseason improving his body and working on his game, with an emphasis on his pace, basketball IQ and shooting.
He also spent time watching film to help develop as a floor general.
The competitive nature that Mallory brings to the court began at home, where he grew up alongside two older sisters who competed collegiately.
Lexi played soccer and basketball at Randolph-Macon and won three state championships, while Josie played lacrosse at Howard.
Mallory said his sisters served as role models and helped develop his competitive nature.
“Just taking what they’ve taught me and put it in my own game,” Mallory said.
With a largely returning roster, Virginia will enter the season with players who already understand Odom’s system and have experienced the demands of ACC basketball.
The Cavaliers now turn that experience into another opportunity to compete for championships.
