2022 Record: 25-8 (15-5)

Head Coach: Tony Bennett (Career Record 410-157) (Virginia Record 341-124)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Reece Beekman (9.5 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 5.3 Ast)

SG: Isaac McKneely (6.7 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 0.7 Ast)

SF: Andrew Rohde (St. Thomas MN 17.1 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 3.6 Ast)

PF: Ryan Dunn (2.6 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

C: Jordan Minor (Merrimack 17.4 Pts, 9.4 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

6: SF Jacob Groves (Oklahoma 6.8 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 0.8 Ast)

7: PG Dante Harris (Georgetown 2021-22 11.9 Pts, 3.6 Reb, 4.1 Ast)

8: SF Leon Bond III (RS)

9: SG Elijah Gertrude

10: SG Taine Murray (1.4 Pts, 0.9 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

11: PF Blake Buchanan

12: C Anthony Robinson

13: SG Christian Bliss (RS)

Virginia had a lot to replace 6 key contributors lost to eligibility and the transfer portal. In addition, star SF Isaac Traudt who redshirted last season also transferred out and was expected to start this season. Reece Beekman is the start returning players for Virginia this upcoming season. In addition to being a reliable scorer, Beekman is also an elite passer who averaged over 5 assists per game. He also takes great care of the ball. Beekman continues to raise his stock and could be an NBA Draft pick next season. Another returner to Virginia this upcoming season is SG Isaac McKneely. He is an elite offensive player who should have a breakout season this year. He could raise all his shooting splits including his three point percentage.

Ryan Dunn is another player who could breakout this season. He had a solid year as a freshman and showed tremendous talent and athleticism in spurts. With a larger role this season, he could be a tremendous piece for the Cavaliers. New Zealand native Taine Murray also returns for UVA. He saw minimal action these past 2 seasons, but has immense offensive potential. Former 4 star recruit in the 2022 class Leon Bond redshirted and will make his debut this season. He will have a vital role in the rotation.

Virginia also added 4 transfers this year. PG Dante Harris from Georgetown committed to Virginia in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Harris will satisfy the backup PG role for UVA this upcoming season. He sat out all of the 2022-23 season but in the 2021-22 season with the Hoyas, he averaged over 11PPG and 4APG. Harris will need to improve on the defensive end to really make an impact in the Tony Bennett system. Jacob Groves will also be another valuable depth piece for Virginia this season. Groves has experience as he’s going into his 5th season spending 2 years at Eastern Washington and 2 years at Oklahoma. Groves shot 44% from the field last season and 38% from three.

The remaining transfers that Virginia signed this offseason were Andrew Rohde and Jordan Minor. Rohde started all 31 games for the St. Thomas Tommies last season and led the team in scoring at 17PPG. Rohde who committed to UVA over Creighton this year will be a vital part of the offensive gameplan. There will be a dramatic rise in competition with both Andrew Rohde and Jordan Minor. Coming into a high major league from a low-mid major conference is a big wake up call for some players. Jordan Minor was elite on the interior for Merrimack this past season. He nearly averaged a double double and also made a huge impact on the defensive end. UVA also signed 4 freshman in the 2023 class. The class is headlined by SG Elijah Gertrude who is the #48 ranked recruit in the country. Gertrude is also coming off a torn acl he suffered during his senior season of HS. PF Blake Buchanan is ranked as the #82 player in the class. Center Anthony Robinson is ranked as the #266 recruit in the country. SG Christian Bliss also signed as part of the 2023 class but reclassed from the 2024 class. Bliss is ranked as the #161 player in the class and is expected to take a redshirt season.

Virginia had a lot to replace this offseason with losses due to the transfer portal and eligibility. Some of the transfers that UVA signed have a huge rise in competition so it will be interesting to see how they adapt. The ACC is very top heavy next season with Top 5 teams likely to make the NCAA Tournament. UVA projects to be in the 4th-5th range in the final standings. UVA has to compete with the likes of Duke, Miami, North Carolina, and Clemson who will likely be at the top of the conference. Virginia seems like a safe bet to make the tournament but they will need to connect with so many new faces on the team this year.