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Virginia's March Madness Run: Can They End the Drought?
20 Mar
Summary
- Virginia seeks first tournament win since 2019 championship.
- Cavaliers are favored by 17.5 points against Wright State.
- Virginia boasts a top-30 offense and defense per KenPom.
Virginia is set to compete in the NCAA Tournament, entering the "Big Dance" with aspirations to end a seven-year drought without a tournament victory. Their last NCAA Tournament win was during their championship run in 2019. The Cavaliers, coached by Ryan Odom, secured a strong second-place finish in the ACC with a 15-3 conference record.
Their first-round opponent is No. 14 seed Wright State. Virginia enters the contest as significant favorites, with oddsmakers placing them 17.5 points ahead. The game is scheduled for 1:50 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TBS.
Wright State's tournament history has been limited, holding a 1-4 record in five prior March Madness appearances. Their offensive efficiency ranks 111th nationally, but they feature guards Michael Cooper and TJ Burch, supported by strong rim protection from Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso, who average 5.2 blocks per game. This defensive capability is crucial for a team that allows opponents only 68.4 points per contest.
The Cavaliers have demonstrated offensive growth this season, driven by Thijs De Ridder's 15.5 points per game and the attacking play of guards Malik Thomas and Sam Lewis. Despite a recent 74-70 loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament final, Virginia's balanced strength on both offense and defense, ranked in the top 30 by KenPom, positions them as strong contenders to advance.
