When the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team opens its season against Campbell on Wednesday, we’ll get our first real look at the updated offense that the ‘Hoos will be running with in 2024-25. Players and coaches have been teasing an adjusted offense throughout the offseason after UVA mightily struggled to score at times last year.
For the last five or so years, Virginia has relied on three base offenses: Tony Bennett’s typical sides or mover-blocker set, an inside triangle offense, and a high ball screen, four-out look. There have been some variations off of that and some additional experimentation. But, by and large, the Cavaliers have become predictable and stale as college basketball offense has evolved around them.
On Monday, interim head coach Ron Sanchez and a collection of players addressed the offensive shift that Virginia is making to try to (literally) keep pace.
“It’s not a new system,” Sanchez said. “We’re just trying to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, getting the five-man to run hard to the rim in transition, having Isaac McKneely sprint hard to the three-point line, trying to see if we can get a mismatch just as the game flows.”
He added that getting the ball up the floor faster is a point of emphasis in order to save time for settled offense and to potentially catch the opposing defense in an unsettled situation.
“Just little things like that I think will make a difference,” Sanchez noted.
Senior Taine Murray – who is the longest tenured Virginia player – acknowledged those changes. But he also referenced the fact that the team’s guiding offensive philosophy hasn’t changed.
“I think it’s stayed the same in terms of trying to get the right shots that we want,” he said. “I think the main change has been a little bit more pace and a little bit more space.”
Redshirt freshman point guard Christian Bliss discussed how the increased pace and space allow for players to make plays.
“I think we definitely play more free,” he said. “[We’re] just trying to think less and play off our instincts and look for the best possible shot whatever the case may be. Just play with a little bit more tempo.”
Preferred walk-on Desmond Roberts echoed those sentiments.
“We’re moving a lot faster,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit more free. So I think there’s a little bit more creativity involved and we just get to play. I think the guys are liking it, we’re adjusting to it nicely, we’re figuring everything out.”
There’s been plenty for Virginia to figure out in the wake of Bennett’s retirement and Sanchez’s ascension as the interim head coach. Fortunately, UVA committed to updating its offense before Bennett’s decision, so the team has spent months working towards the revamped offense we’ll see next Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.
As the season progresses, keep an eye out for how the ‘Hoos respond to getting punched in the mouth. Do they revert back to the tried and true schemes that had them in a bit of a mess over the past few seasons? Or do they remain dedicated to this rebooted scheme?
It’s unquestionably a turbulent time for the Virginia basketball program. How effective UVA’s attack is at pushing the ball up the floor and spacing it in the process will go a long way towards determining Sanchez’s and the program’s future.
