Virginia wrestling kicked off the new year on the road in Chattanooga, Tenn. for the Southern Scuffle.
With conference play underway — and the first road test already delivering a reminder of what ACC games can demand — three men’s basketball beat writers look back at their previous predictions, outline what non-conference play confirmed and identify what still has not been answered.
Virginia only outscored the Seminoles in two of the six periods of play, and Florida State shot 41 percent from deep after halftime.
“The open guy is the go-to guy,” Coach Ryan Odom said. "And Sam was ready tonight, his teammates found him and he knocked it down. We have tremendous confidence in Sam and his ability to make shots and make the right play.”
As Virginia settles into ACC play, Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton and her squad continue to rely on their height and depth, kicking off the new year with another conference victory.
In honor of the early-morning meetings, defensive coordinator John Rudzinski has dubbed Virginia’s secondary study group “the Breakfast Club.”
Dietrich and Dahlberg are now the fourth doubles team in the history of Virginia men's tennis program to be honored as NCAA champions.
For No. 21 Virginia, conference play started on New Year’s Eve with a game destined to take Coach Ryan Odom and his team out of their comfort zones.
“There are a lot of good records out there right now,” Odom said. “We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us, and the first one’s at Virginia Tech.”
“I'm so blessed to be in this position,” Morris said.
Virginia dribbled out the final seconds of the game to win 76-52, adding another double-digit win to the resume.
When informed of this news, several University community members were surprised.
A season of firsts ended fittingly — with a stressful, gritty win and a trophy in hand.
Porter began the year with a loss in the Round of 16 of the Navy Classic Nov. 2, but has not fallen since.
“We’re so grateful to have this opportunity,” Elliott said. “This program has been working hard over the last several years to get to the postseason and we’re so excited to be in Jacksonville.”
The men's and women's finales were separated by one measly goal in regulation and penalties. It was a night of déjà vu in Klöckner Stadium. A night of opportunity for Virginia turned into a night to forget.
“It was almost like a home game. People were constantly yelling ‘Go Hoos’ and chanting while walking down the street and waiting to get into the stadium,” second-year College student Landen Barth said.
The Cavaliers are set to go fish in the portal pond again to replace outgoing stars. But who should they target?
“People probably aren’t going to believe this, but I honestly didn’t know that was my 200th win,” Garland said. “I’m grateful more than anything."
“What hasn’t changed much is really just the core values or core purpose of what we’re here for,” Althoff said. “Our core function is really to support the student athletes and coaches in their process of winning championships.”
