By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia basketball is only five days from getting its first early test at Vanderbilt, the first of two preseason exhibition games, with tipoff set for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (no TV, no streaming).

The Wahoos will host Villanova in a second exhibition on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Ryan Odom hopes to learn a lot about his team in the two exhibition contests.

“What I would say is the first game, you’re going to be a little less prepared because it’s earlier than the second one … you don’t have but so much time to get stuff in,” Odom said. “The Vanderbilt scrimmage/exhibition will be a little different format than the Villanova format would be because it’s up to the two coaches how they want to do it.

“I think we’re probably going to do quarters over there at Vanderbilt. I haven’t talked to Coach (Kevin) Willard yet about ours here.”

The Vandy exhibition will feature four, 12-minute quarters rather than the two, 20-minute halves. Coaches (at least Commodores coach Mark Bynum) will be mic’d up and  fans attending the game will get behind-the-scenes halftime access, according to the school’s promotions.

“I want to see the guys against another team,” Odom said. “And for us to be able to play as many guys as we can, get them out on the court, get them some experience, especially with an entirely new roster. I think it’s really important for both teams to have that opportunity to do that.”
While it’s early, Odom believes this team’s identity is unselfish. He said at this point the Cavaliers are a little further ahead offensively, something that will likely be evident in the scrimmages.

The coach said this team has a little more versatility up front, players that can score in and around the basket, can step out and shoot the 3, but also have size.

“Defensively, they’ve done a good job so far of developing our full-court pressure, getting better daily,” Odom said. “We’re still seeing growth in our half-court defense as well. Areas that need to improve, the rebounding has to improve. We’re offensive rebounding really well, but we’re not defensive rebounding — at least against ourselves — the way that we need to, so there’s a lot of room for growth, and that’s normal this time of year. But I do like the mood of the team. They come every day to work.”

COMING THIS WEEKEND: A closer look at Virginia’s two international big men, Thijs (pronounced Tess) De Ridder and Johann Grunloh