As the college basketball season rapidly approaches, Virginia has gotten its first taste of competition in two exhibition matchups against Vanderbilt and Richmond. While the Cavaliers displayed their fair share of mistakes and growing pains, both contests gave valuable insight into what Coach Ryan Odom’s second-year team could look like.
Exhibition games before the season are anything but definitive indicators of what the regular season will produce, especially as coaches work to incorporate new players into the rotation and those players adjust to their new responsibilities. However, exhibitions offer chances to evaluate players’ new skill sets, observe new team chemistry and spot potential concerns before the regular-season nonconference schedule.
With one more exhibition remaining at Villanova Thursday, here are five takeaways from Virginia’s first two preseason tests.
1. No one can keep up with Chance Mallory on either side of the floor
After missing the opening exhibition game against Vanderbilt at the TheLinkU Invitational, second-year guard Chance Mallory wasted no time showing what he brings to the Cavaliers despite being in a new starting role. With a slow 20-12 start trailing Richmond in the first half, Mallory took matters into his own hands, going on his own 7-0 run to spark 26 straight points for Virginia. His ability to blow past defenders and push the pace proved nearly impossible for the Spiders to contain.
But the Charlottesville native’s impact extends far beyond his offensive prowess. His relentless pressure on the defensive end helped the Cavaliers force turnovers and create transition opportunities, something they struggled to do against Vanderbilt.
“Chance is the engine, there's no question,” Odom said. “He's so fast up the court and just really ignites our offense and our defense in a lot of ways.”
Richmond Coach Chris Mooney offered even higher praise after the stellar outing.
“Chance is really the key,” Mooney said. “He's a dynamic player. I think he'll be a multi-time All-American if he's at Virginia his whole career. He's just a great, great player. He puts so much pressure on you.”
If his exhibition debut was any indication, Mallory could be the driving force behind the Cavaliers’ success this season.
2. A bulked-up Johann Grünloh looks more multidimensional than ever before
After adding 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason, second-year center Johann Grünloh appears poised to make a significant leap with a year of college basketball in the United States under his belt. His increased physical presence was noticeable in both exhibition outings, but his most encouraging development came on offense.
In both exhibition matchups, Grünloh displayed newfound confidence from behind the arc, shooting 2-for-2 against the Commodores and 1-for-4 against Richmond. His willingness to stretch the floor more often than before could add another dimension to Virginia’s offense in Odom’s second year, particularly alongside fellow second-year forward Thijs De Ridder.
“I think he's really motivated to give positive energy to the team,” Odom said. “But also in game situations, when he's out there on the court, he's always talking, and the interior guy, the five man, has to be that guy.”
Grünloh’s combination of size, shooting and leadership could make him one of the Cavaliers’ most valuable contributors.
3. Jan Vide has the aggressiveness needed to fulfill the sixth-man role
With Mallory seemingly locked in to the starting point guard role, fourth-year guard Jan Vide has an opportunity to establish himself as the primary sparkplug on both ends of the floor off the bench. The Loyola Marymount transfer has shown his aggressive approach and versatility through two exhibition games, making a compelling case for the sixth-man spot.
Against Vanderbilt, Vide showcased tight ball-handling, incisive passing ability and fast defensive instincts. His willingness to attack the rim carried over to the Richmond bout, consistently pressuring defenders and looking to create unique opportunities near the rim.
Vide, especially as a mid-major transfer trying to prove himself on a Power Four team, also demonstrated a commitment to contributing beyond scoring as he grabbed three offensive rebounds against the Spiders.
“I'm fighting for minutes. I'm fighting for my role,” Vide said. “I want to do all the little things that matter, that the coaches ask me to do, and offensive rebounds [are] one of them.”
If he can consistently provide that energy while contributing defensively, Vide could become a great asset to Odom’s second unit.
4. Odom is still figuring out the rotations
Despite several promising performances from players in new roles, nothing has been definitive and Odom has yet to settle on an exact rotation.
Against Richmond, Virginia started Mallory, fourth-year guard Sam Lewis, De Ridder, Grünloh and first-year forward Noah Adekunle. Meanwhile, seven additional players saw action off the bench, with most contributing meaningful minutes. With so much depth competing for limited minutes, Odom will soon face difficult decisions about who will become regular contributors.
Several players showed improvement from the previous season, including third-year guard/forward Martin Carrere — who connected on four of six downtown attempts against the Spiders — and fourth-year guard Elijah Gertrude, whose offensive intensity and aggressiveness stood out in both exhibition matches. Gertrude led the team in scoring against Vanderbilt with 10 points off the bench while shooting 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from long range.
“I told the team before the game today, ‘We have to figure this out, and we don't know exactly where it's going to be right now,’” Odom said. “‘When I put you in there today, you're fighting for something.’”
5. Nolan Adekunle might have secured a spot in the starting lineup
Among Virginia’s new faces on grounds, Adekunle has made one of the most impactful early impressions, potentially solidifying his place in the starting lineup.
After showcasing his ability to rim run and push the ball up and down the floor against Vanderbilt, Adekunle carried that offensive confidence into the Richmond exhibition at John Paul Jones Arena. As a starter in both exhibition showdowns, Adekunle has proven to be a catalyst for this Cavalier offense, opening against the Spiders with a three-pointer for the first score.
In that game, his aggressiveness continued after halftime, scoring Virginia’s first five points of the second half, igniting a 14-0 run that put the nail in the coffin against Richmond.
Although Odom has said the starting lineup remains unsettled, Adekunle’s showings suggest he is becoming increasingly difficult to remove from the starting five. If he can maintain that level of production, Adekunle will not only earn the starting role, but also become a key contributor throughout the season.
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