By Jerry Ratcliffe
With Virginia’s recent history in the NCAA Tournament and with Ryan Odom’s experience in terms of upsets, the No. 3-seeded Cavaliers are taking nothing for granted heading into Friday’s game against No. 14 seed Wright State (1:50 p.m., TBS).
While UVA is a heavy favorite (18.5 points), the program has been less than impressive in postseason play since it claimed the national championship in 2019. Since then, the Cavaliers have lost opening-round games to Ohio University, Furman and Colorado State.
Even the year prior to wearing the crown, Virginia was the first-round upset victim to UMBC, coached by none other than Ryan Odom. It was the first time in NCAA history that a No. 16 seed knocked off a No. 1.
Having been on both sides of the equation, Odom enters the tournament confident but cautious just the same against the Horizon League champion Raiders (23-11).
“It just feels good to be in the NCAA Tournament, number one,” Odom said Thursday afternoon. “When we first took the job [at UVA], we weren’t sure how it would go. We have an entirely new roster that we put together and couldn’t have landed in a better spot. We have great guys on the team and we certainly understand what it means to play in the NCAA Tournament, and for this particular group, to where you write your own story and add to the legacy that is Virginia basketball has been really satisfying.
“Having said that, this group wants to advance. We want to be part of the NCAA Tournament and continue to be part of it, and we realize we’re going to be playing great teams throughout, and certainly, Wright State will as well. They’re extremely well-coached. They know how to win.”
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Odom sees several challenges in playing Wright State, including how the Raiders put pressure on opponents at the rim via the drive or post-up.
“They’re also a really good passing team and cutting team,” Odom said. “They cut behind the defense a ton to get easy baskets and they defend really well. When you have that balance on both sides of the ball, you have a chance to advance in this tournament.”
Meanwhile, Wright State, which doesn’t have a lot of length, is totally aware of Virginia’s giant staring down guards under the basket. He’s seven-footer Ugonna Onyenso, who is coming off the ACC Tournament championship game against top-seeded Duke, where he blocked 21 shots, a tournament record (previously held by Tim Duncan) over three games.
Onyenso isn’t even the starter. Seven-foot teammate Johann Grünloh is also a lethal rim protector.
“It definitely changes things a little bit because they’ve got really big size,” said Wright’s TJ Burch. “We’re used to size a little bit because of our conference. The ACC is a whole ‘nother level. We made the adjustments. We’ll be ready.”
If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!
