Three Things I Love About This Virginia Team — And One Small Complaint

1. The Versatility and Depth Are Real

This might be the deepest Virginia team we’ve seen in a long time — and not just in numbers, but in usable depth. This isn’t a roster filled with “break glass in case of emergency” guys. These are legitimate players who can start, close, or swing momentum depending on the night.

The versatility is what really separates this group. Different lineups bring different strengths. Bigger groups can punish teams inside. Smaller lineups stretch the floor. Defensive combinations change the tone of a game. There are multiple ball handlers, multiple shot creators, and multiple defenders capable of guarding up or down a position.

And the biggest thing? The drop-off is minimal. When someone goes out, the system doesn’t break.

We’ve already seen it when Devin Tillis missed time, and now again with Jacari White set to miss a little stretch. In past seasons, that kind of absence might have completely altered the rotation or exposed weaknesses. This year? The team adjusts. Someone else steps in. The identity stays intact.

That’s a luxury in college basketball — and a weapon come February and March.

2. They Don’t Play Down to Competition

This one matters more than people realize.

Good teams beat who they’re supposed to beat. Great teams end games early.

Virginia has done that consistently. When they’re clearly better, they show it — jumping out early, extending leads, and refusing to let opponents believe they belong on the same floor.

No sleepy first halves. No “why is this a four-point game with eight minutes left?” anxiety. No unnecessary drama.

The blowouts aren’t just about talent; they’re about professionalism. This team respects the game and respects the opportunity by taking care of business quickly. That allows them to dictate tempo, control rotations, and avoid the kind of late-game randomness that can derail even good teams.

As a fan, it’s refreshing. As a program, it’s a sign of maturity.

3. The Spurtability (Yes, That’s a Word Now)

Every Virginia fan knows the defensive standard. Smothering. Disciplined. Relentless. That hasn’t gone anywhere.

What has changed is how quickly this team can flip a game.

This group is spurtable — capable of going on long, devastating runs where shots fall in bunches while the defense never loosens its grip. Possessions stack up. Leads balloon. Opponents blink and suddenly they’re down 15.

We’ve seen stretches where Virginia shoots an absurd percentage over five, six, seven minutes — and does it without sacrificing defensive intensity. That’s the scary part. The offense doesn’t come at the expense of identity. It complements it.

That combination wins in the modern game.

One Complaint (And It’s a Small One)

If I have one concern, it’s this: exposure to injury risk in games that are already decided.

We’ve seen starters and high-minute guys on the floor deep into blowouts — including Tillis late against American — when the outcome was long settled. It’s not about criticism of competitiveness or trust; it’s simply about risk management.

College basketball is unpredictable. Ankles turn. Bodies collide. And with the depth this team has, there’s room to get extended minutes for bench guys without sacrificing anything.

It’s not a deal-breaker. It’s not even a major flaw. It’s just something to monitor as the season wears on and the games start to mean even more.

Final Thought

This is a team I genuinely enjoy watching.

They’re deep. They’re versatile. They’re disciplined. They defend like Virginia teams always have — and now they score in waves. Most importantly, they look connected. Players know their roles. Coaches know their personnel. Adjustments come naturally.

Ryan Odom and his staff deserve real credit for building something that feels both familiar and new at the same time.

Are there things to clean up? Of course. That’s true for every team in December.

But if you’re a Virginia fan, there’s a lot to love here — and even more to be excited about as this season unfolds.