Coach Ryan Odom takes over at Virginia with an array of new stars to help the Cavs move forward in the ACC. The Cavaliers’ attack will feature plenty of up-tempo defensive pressure and shooting the three-ball. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Athletics)
Virginia Cavaliers
Coach: Ryan Odom (First season at UVa; Overall: 201-117, 10 seasons)
2024-25 Record: Overall: 15-17, ACC: 8-12, T/9th
The Cavaliers did an outstanding job of pursuing Ryan Odom and eventually hiring him as the new head coach at Virginia. Odom has produced winners in his 10 years at VCU, Utah State, and UMBC. Odom coached the Terriers in 2018 when they became the first 16-seed to defeat a 1-seed in NCAA Tournament play.
Ironically, Odom grew up when his father Dave Odom was the assistant to the late legendary head coach Terry Holland from 1982-1989. These seasons included five trips to the NCAA Tournament and a trip to the Final Four (1984).
Ryan Odom worked intensely to reconfigure Virginia’s roster, which is at an excellent talent level, and could make these Cavaliers a challenger in the ACC.
Odom has been at both ends of the transfer portal, as he saw three Aggies leave when he came to Utah State in 2022-23, but last season at VCU, five starters and two graduates left the Rams.
“One won a championship (VCU won A-10 Tournament in 2025); the other one lost in the championship in the (MWC) final, (2023, Utah State)” said Odom.
Thomas, Hall Look to Ignite: Malik Thomas comes in from San Francisco, where he was first team-WCC last season. He is a tough matchup on the perimeter based on his ability to get to the rim. He led the Dons in free throws last season.
“UVA (is) just a historic school that we play for each and every day,” noted Thomas. “I just think it’s been great just to connect with this place.” Dallin Hall comes over from BYU, where he started 10 of the 32 games last season after missing the first four due to injury. He averaged the 12th-best assist-to-turnover ratio (4.2-to-1.6) for the Cougars.
“Coach Odom and his staff have created a family-like culture where we really rely on one another, and the teammates that they brought in for me to play alongside have made it a really easy transition and made it start to feel like home,” said Hall.
Return of ACC Roundball: With only four teams making the ACC Tournament last season and five in each of the three years before, ACC basketball is due for a Renaissance where the overall conference returns to the top of college basketball.
Getting older in the transfer portal and having competitive NILs have helped several teams upgrade rosters. Odom will play a faster, more uptempo game with the emphasis on the three-point field goals, as well as more of an uptempo approach that will feature solid defensive qualities.
“Obviously, you have some new coaches as well, who have done great things at other places and have recruited really well. We have returning coaches that have built programs and done some tremendous things,” expressed Odom. “So I think it’s pretty evident that this is going to be a good year for ACC basketball.”