Virginia Basketball's NCAA Tournament Run Begins

0:00On March 20, Virginia basketball kicks off their NCAA tournament run today against 14-seated right-state. The Cavaliers enter as heavy favorites in Las Vegas, backed by strong advanced analytics and betting odds. It's a big moment for head coach Ryan Odom in his first tournament game, leading the team from Charlottesville. The who's are making their 27th NCAA appearance overall, and are chasing their first tournament wins since their national championship in 2019. They've hit 29 wins or more for the ninth time in school history, with a solid 13-4 record away from home, including 5-2 on neutral courts. Fans are buzzing about Virginia's hot offense, averaging 80.6 points per game, the most since the early 2000s. Their tops in the ACC for blocks at 6.5 per game, and offensive rebounding at 13.2. Nationally, they rank 13th in field goal defense, and 18th in scoring margin. Key players are stepping up big.

1:00Eyes-day-ritter averages 15.5 points and leads in field goal percentage. Ogana Oñenso tops the conference in blocks at 3 per game, while Dalin Hall and Chance Mallory excel in assists and steals with top, assists to turnover ratios. With all this momentum, Virginia lets prime to advance and build on their legacy in Philadelphia, where they've had some memorable runs before. Keep an eye on how they handle the underdogs right from the tip.