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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en"> <title>Streaking The Lawn - All Posts</title> <subtitle>UVa sports uncovered... from the Rotunda to Homer and back</subtitle> <icon>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52586/stl_fav.png</icon> <updated>2025-07-01T19:16:08-04:00</updated> <id>http://www.streakingthelawn.com/rss/current/</id> <link type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/" rel="alternate"/> <entry> <published>2025-07-01T19:16:08-04:00</published> <updated>2025-07-01T19:16:08-04:00</updated> <title>UVA swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins Honda Cup, named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="World Aquatics Championships Short Course Budapest 2024" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/skzK696G7Mo45RzT4LAyj2ln6Lw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74158878/2190197509.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Andrea Masini/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Walsh added to her impressive collection of hardware Monday.</p> <p id="602ElS">Virginia Cavaliers swimmer and Olympic gold medalist <a href="https://virginiasports.com/player/gretchen-walsh/">Gretchen Walsh</a> was awarded the Honda Cup and named the 2025 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the year on Monday, beating out Paige Bueckers of University of Connecticut basketball and NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech softball. </p><div id="byywJV"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5KVxl-9wHo?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div></div><p id="oJOgpN">Walsh, who was nominated for the award last year (which was ultimately awarded to Caitlyn Clark), won three individual NCAA titles in 2025 and led the Virginia Women’s Swim and Dive team to their fifth straight NCAA championship. She earned two gold medals and two silver medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is a two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year. </p><p id="e9LD45">The recent graduate was unable to make the award ceremony due to summer training in Charlottesville as she prepares for the 2025 World Aquatics Championship in Singapore. Still, Walsh attended virtually and was interviewed in front of the crowd immediately following the award.</p><div id="DG9XwD"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br>Gretchen Walsh is the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year, winning the <a href="https://twitter.com/CWSA_HondaCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CWSA_HondaCup</a> <br>She is the second Cavalier ever to win the award, joining Dawn Staley <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHoos</a> <a href="https://t.co/jPJWzEmstS">pic.twitter.com/jPJWzEmstS</a></p>— Virginia Swimming and Dive (@UVASwimDive) <a href="https://twitter.com/UVASwimDive/status/1939842115099406704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="Jtw6tB">“I feel like I’m on cloud nine right now, honestly. I wish I could be there to celebrate,” Walsh said. “This sport is all-year-round and it feels like it never stops, so … it’s really nice to have this recognition and to win this award among such an amazing group of athletes.”</p><p id="H7AjWT">With a shelf-full of medals, world records, and awards, Walsh has no end in sight. She strives to make the top of the podium during the summer world championship this month, representing Team USA. </p><p id="jLdRlb">Walsh joins Dawn Staley as the only two Virginia athletes to <a href="https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/archives/cupwinner_bios/index">win the Honda Cup</a>. Walsh is also one of nine swimmers to ever win the Honda Cup, including Katie Ledecky in 2017. </p><p id="2LWUDp">“This is a win for swimming as much as it is for myself,” Walsh said. “I feel like I always take a lot of pride in representing the people that have come before me in the sport — especially the women who have.” </p><p id="azQ6VO"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/7/1/24459942/virginia-cavaliers-virginia-swimming-uva-swimming-gretchen-walsh-honda-cup"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/7/1/24459942/virginia-cavaliers-virginia-swimming-uva-swimming-gretchen-walsh-honda-cup</id> <author> <name>Anna Thomas</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-07-01T19:04:33-04:00</published> <updated>2025-07-01T19:04:33-04:00</updated> <title>UVA basketball legend Ty Jerome signs three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NBA 2025 - Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game Five" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EpCO5g44VnIrJfmnkrxa3n6-OaA=/0x135:3430x2422/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74158864/2214621288.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Jerome is on the move in free agency, per ESPN.</p> <p id="r40lkw">Virginia Cavaliers basketball legend Ty Jerome officially signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday and is receiving quite the pay raise. According to <a href="https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/546590543ce3c">ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania</a>, the 27-year-old agreed to a three-year, $28 million free-agent contract.</p><div id="OvAPSc"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free agent guard Ty Jerome has agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, with a player option in year three, sources tell ESPN. Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of <a href="https://twitter.com/PrioritySports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrioritySports</a> negotiated the new deal with the Grizzlies. <a href="https://t.co/guChFbO1BI">pic.twitter.com/guChFbO1BI</a></p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939823309665050713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="PGHvCC">The Cavaliers, who recently obtained Lonzo Ball <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45603177/sources-bulls-trading-lonzo-ball-cavaliers-isaac-okoro">in a trade</a> for Isaac Okoro, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45603688/sources-sam-merrill-sign-4-year-38m-deal-cavaliers">retained Sam Merrill</a> in a four-year, $38 million deal — a notably bigger contract than Jerome’s new gig in Memphis — leaving them without much cap room to re-sign Jerome as well.</p><p id="865pyy"><a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/5/28/24438048/uva-basketball-ty-jerome-cleveland-cavaliers-free-agency-deandre-hunter">Jerome was a key contributor</a> for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, where he played for two seasons. He averaged a career-high 12.5 points, shot over 50% from the field, 43.9% from behind the arc, and led the team in assists with 3.4 per game. Not to mention, he was a 2024-2025 Kia Sixth Man of the Year finalist. </p><p id="1LYWXv">Jerome dropped 28 points and shot 62.5% from three in his postseason debut with the Cavs. Despite a dissapointing end to their playoff run, it was rumored that a number of teams were eyeing Jerome in free agency before his deal with Memphis.</p><p id="EKMg7A">The <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/mem">Grizzlies</a> went 48-34 in the 2024-25 regular season before getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a roster that has been riddled with team injuries and the <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/magic-grizzlies-trade-bane-caldwell-pope">recent trade</a> of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, Jerome will likely be a key contributor for the franchise. </p><p id="hYl8Ul">Heading into his seventh NBA season, Jerome was a first-round draft pick in 2019 after three years at Virginia — a stint that included a national championship, of course. He played for the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com">Phoenix Suns</a>, Oklahoma City Thunder, and <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> prior to his tenure in Cleveland. </p><p id="Uy0Saj"></p><p id="a6JTuv"></p><p id="heC12O"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/7/1/24459928/virginia-basketball-uva-basketball-virginia-cavaliers-ty-jerome-nba-free-agency-memphis-grizzlies"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/7/1/24459928/virginia-basketball-uva-basketball-virginia-cavaliers-ty-jerome-nba-free-agency-memphis-grizzlies</id> <author> <name>Anna Thomas</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-30T19:25:56-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-30T19:25:56-04:00</updated> <title>UVA basketball to play Ohio State on Valentine’s Day in 2026</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Ohio State v Virginia" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dN4afGm9Ov98Ds9b6VISkM-5Gag=/0x0:4920x3280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74156991/626900052.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The ‘Hoos will take on the Buckeyes in a rare non-conference, neutral site game in February</p> <p id="QLdS7b">It’s the middle of the summer and college basketball is still months away, but the momentum is slowly building as the <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/5/28/24439029/uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-acc-opponents-virginia-cavaliers-ryan-odom">Virginia Cavaliers continues to finalize their schedule</a> for the 2025-26 season. Per CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, the most recent addition will be the <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> taking on the <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> Buckeyes on Valentine’s Day: February 14, 2026. </p><div id="hVgEsD"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">News: College basketball's got a nice trend bubbling up. February non-con games between power-conference programs are becoming in vogue again. Ohio State and Virginia will meet on Valentine's Day next season, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSSports</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Iqu3bfTvF1">https://t.co/Iqu3bfTvF1</a></p>— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattNorlander/status/1939757374031511943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="7hRcGC">The latest trend in the ever-changing college basketball scheduling landscape is for power conference teams to play a team from a different power conference during traditional conference play. It’s all about crafting a complete resume, and since the ACC has suffered from recent poor play in the non-conference in November and December, they’re looking for opportunities to play quality non-conference opponents later in the season.</p><p id="GUsssr">This matchup with the Buckeyes should generate lots of attention from the NCAA Selection Committee, as long as both teams are in NCAA Tournament contention. And, more importantly, it’s a neutral site game which is worth more to the committee than a home game for UVA. </p><p id="9Lnpbt">As far as history goes, there’s not much bad blood between Virginia and Ohio State. They’ve played just twice, in a home-and-home series back in 2015 and 2016. Virginia won both of those matchups narrowly (64-58 and 63-61). Unsurprisingly, Malcolm Brogdon led all scorers in the 2015 matchup with 22 points while shooting an exceptional 6/10 from three. London Perrantes paced the ‘Hoos with 19 points in the two-point win in Charlottesville in 2016. </p><p id="uDTvBx">Ryan Odom and the Cavaliers will have an opportunity to stay undefeated against the Buckeyes when they meet in February. It won’t be easy. Jake Diebler enters his second season as the head coach for Ohio State, after narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament field in Year One. And to make things even more difficult for Virginia, the Buckeyes leading scorer and star guard Bruce Thornton will be returning for his senior season after averaging 17.7 points and 4.6 assists last season (50% from the field and 42% from three). </p><p id="9yGsIx">All things considered, this matchup is a step in the right direction and it further demonstrates Virginia’s commitment to embracing the new, strange landscape of college basketball. The ‘Hoos are being flexible in their roster and schedule construction, and it should only serve to help them as they seek to once again become a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament. </p><p id="4NBAIQ">Plus, who doesn’t love a little cross-conference college basketball cinema on Valentine’s Day.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/30/24459164/uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-ohio-state-buckeyes-ryan-odom-valentines-day"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/30/24459164/uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-ohio-state-buckeyes-ryan-odom-valentines-day</id> <author> <name>John J. Kurcina</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-26T08:02:00-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-26T08:02:00-04:00</updated> <title>Ranking every Virginia football QB to start a game since 2010</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Capital One Orange Bowl - Virginia v Florida" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nLtsM0wFdHaA1vUXHPp0xc24c6Y=/1x0:3688x2458/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74150349/1196764247.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>A fun and somewhat depressing exercise for the Virginia football sickos out there.</p> <p id="gmzSSh">We have reached the dog days of the offseason for <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> athletics which means it is time to get our creative juices flowing. In this feature, we look at UVA football’s starting quarterbacks over past decade and a half, which is admittedly an underwhelming list (to put it nicely).</p><p id="5VHSTG">Here is Streaking the Lawn’s ranking of the Wahoos have started a game under center since 2010:</p><h2 id="oGhZC0">13. Lindell Stone</h2><p id="5yhRIR">The Woodberry Forest legend spent a full four years in the program, primarily as a backup. Stone was asked to start one game during that strange 2020 season when QB1 Brennan Armstrong went down, and but could not move the ball consistently. He threw the ball a whopping 54 times in a blowout loss to <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a>, completing 30 passes for 240 yards (4.4 YPA), compiling three touchdowns and one interception. After graduating in 2021, Stone spent a few years as an offensive assistant at Hampden-Sydney (D-III).</p><h2 id="ipza6z">12. David Watford</h2><p id="876HE6">The Hampton, VA product was a Cavalier from 2011-14, serving as the full-time starter in 2013. That 2013 season was particularly poor, as Mike London’s squad went 2-10 with an 0-8 conference record. Watford’s numbers were equally ugly: a 57.1% completion percentage with eight passing touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions and 2,410 total yards. After the offensive staff experimented with Watford at wildcat quarterback as well as wide receiver, he transferred to Hampton for his final year of eligibility before a brief career in the CFL.</p><h2 id="4o6uJK">11. Phillip Sims</h2><p id="vRBHX8">A five-star high school prospect who initially backed up AJ McCarron at Alabama, Sims was one of the more disappointing recruits out of the Commonwealth in recent memory. Sims started four games for the 2012 team that finished 4-8, throwing for 1,263 total yards on 114-of-203 (56.2%) passing, with nine touchdown passes and four interceptions. Sims was academically ineligible for the 2013 season, and ended up transferring to Winston-Salem State (D-II).</p><h2 id="Ow4QLc">10. Jay Woolfolk</h2><p id="cj94bB">The Benedictine Prep product arrived on Grounds with the ambition of contributing as both quarterback and a baseball pitcher simultaneously, and for a couple of years, he was able follow through with that. However, it reached the point where these respective sports were detracting from each other and Woolfolk wisely decided to continue his path solely on the diamond.</p><p id="STwaf7">Woolfolk does get to claim that he started at quarterback against <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a>, though, as he became the first Virginia true freshman to get the nod in 44 years. Given that his only substantial experience under center came against arguably the top defense in the country in South Bend, it is hard to make much of his career statistics: 22-of-43 passing for 271 total yards.</p><h2 id="kBGFmG">9. Greyson Lambert</h2><p id="TUNVab">Lambert joins Sims as highly touted recruits that underwhelmed in a Cavalier uniform under Mike London. A top quarterback out of the state of Georgia, Lambert started most of 2014 as a redshirt freshman, completing 154-of-261 (59.0%) of his passes for 1,632 yards with 12 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Lambert then transferred to Georgia where he had an up-and-down tenure as a starter before eventually losing the job to Jacob Eason.</p><h2 id="6NkIs8">8. Marc Verica</h2><p id="ku0lRx">Verica, a Wahoos quarterback from 2006-10, just manages to become eligible for this list. He rotated in and out of starting duties during his final three seasons. Verica started all 12 games in 2010, throwing for 2,799 yards with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.</p><h2 id="eFeBXQ">7. Matt Johns</h2><p id="kFM5J1">Johns enrolled at Virginia in 2012, spending most of his first three seasons sitting on the bench with a few sporadic appearances. He then started all 12 games in 2015, throwing for 2,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in a 4-8 season. As the Bronco Mendenhall regime took over the program in 2016, Johns lost the job to East Carolina transfer Kurt Benkert in his senior season. Since then, Johns has served in a variety of assistant coaching roles, and currently serves as the quarterbacks coach for Utah State.</p><h2 id="sRpFhP">6. Tony Muskett</h2><p id="8vC10W">Following a quality career at Monmouth (DI-FCS), Muskett transferred to UVA to become the starter in 2023. His two seasons in Charlottesville were shortened by injury, but he provided a poised presence and was tough as nails. Muskett ended up completing 138-of-223 (61.9%) of his passes, compiling 1,750 total yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions. Muskett’s highlight was guiding the ‘Hoos to an upset victory at North Carolina in 2023, a Tar Heels team that was undefeated and ranked in the top ten at the time.</p><div id="L6VWCR"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NEg0koG7ZYQ?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div></div><h2 id="7ftHAx">5. Anthony Colandrea</h2><p id="2XoPjw">Colandrea burst onto the scene in his true freshman campaign following Muskett’s injury in the early 2023 season. In a season defined by high highs and low lows, Colandrea finished with 1,958 yards (8.0 YPA) on 61.9% passing with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. About halfway through the 2024 season, Colandrea hit a wall and lost his swagger. He ended up losing the job to Muskett in the season finale, and transferred to UNLV in the offseason. With an emphasis on peak, Colandrea manages to sneak into the top five but his floor was just as low as anybody else on this list.</p><h2 id="H7zkW6">4. Michael Rocco</h2><p id="YKybno">Rocco was one of the rare multi-year starters on this list. In 2011, he led Virginia to virtually their only successful regular season under London, where they finished 8-4, followed by a 312 yard passing performance against No. 25 Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Rocco also started eight games in 2012. He finished his Virginia career completing 60.3% of his passes for 4,731 yards with 29 total touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Rocco finished his collegiate career at Richmond.</p><h2 id="kA4wu4">3. Kurt Benkert</h2><p id="lK2suo">Benkert started every game in the first two years of the Mendenhall era, setting the stage for future success. He definitely had his struggles, but also had stretches where he looked like one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC. </p><div id="diMFue"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Halftime: Virginia 21, Miami 14<br><br>UVa QB Kurt Benkert: 17-18, 262 yards, 3 TDs. </p>— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLDraft/status/931955220392787968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="ZxpJDu">In his senior season, one in which UVA clinched bowl eligibility for the first time in six years, Benkert threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns compared to just nine interceptions. He went on to have stints as a reserve for the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a>, <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p><h2 id="4uAdiw">2. Brennan Armstrong</h2><p id="siE8zB">Armstrong spent five years in Charlottesville, and as far as I see it, is a Wahoo through and through. He is the program’s all-time and single-season leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.</p><p id="tiD9qt">After backing up Bryce Perkins for two seasons, Armstrong took over the starting gig in 2020. He had an encouraging COVID-shortened season, in which the Cavaliers rallied in the second half to become bowl eligible. </p><p id="ZcXYmC">2021 was the season for the ages, where he threw for 400 yards in consecutive games against Illinois, North Carolina, and <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a>. Overall, Armstrong completed 65.2% of his passes, totaling 4,700 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, breaking several records in the process.</p><p id="Stip3V">In 2022, Armstrong’s numbers plummeted under Tony Elliott’s new coaching regime and offensive system. He ended up re-joining forces with much of Mendenhall’s former offensive staff, exhausting his final year of eligibility at NC State.</p><h2 id="udsMqX">1. Bryce Perkins</h2><p id="xe8hDz">Putting Perkins in the top slot was the easy part of the list. His Houdini-like performances led Virginia to its winningest two year stretch over this span with eight wins in 2018 and nine the following season. Perkins was also the only quarterback on this list to beat <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com/">Virginia Tech</a>, putting the team on his back with 475 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. In the process, the Wahoos clinched a berth in the ACC Championship Game and eventually, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/orange-bowl">Orange Bowl</a>.</p><div id="PHqnZ3"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBUalum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBUalum</a> Bryce Perkins today:<br>• Accounted for 475 of UVA's 492 total yards<br>• Helped snap 15-game losing streak to VA Tech<br>• 311 passing yards, 1 TD<br>• 164 rushing yards, 2 TD<br>• Leads Virginia to the ACC Championship Game next weekend vs. Clemson<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHoos</a> @3_ToDaNeck <a href="https://t.co/PWKevPD43v">pic.twitter.com/PWKevPD43v</a></p>— Football University (@FBUcamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBUcamp/status/1200519964358316039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="v7iSlw">A JUCO transfer who at one point was unsure if he would ever play football again due to a neck injury, Perkins has gone down as one of the program’s all-time greats. He was simply remarkable, making highlight reel play after highlight reel play to keep the ball moving. In total, Perkins completed 64.5% of his passes for 6,218 yards with 47 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, and added an additional 1,692 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.</p><p id="G49u4o">Since his legendary two-year stint at Virginia, Perkins has made multiple stops in the pros. As a backup for the Rams, he made his first career NFL start in 2022. Recently, Perkins won the MVP award in the UFL, guiding the Michigan Panthers to a Championship appearance. </p><p id="FNYGnA"></p><h2 id="PA0Tsj"></h2><p id="IMVLKD"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/26/24450331/virginia-cavaliers-uva-football-bryce-perkins-brennan-armstrong-kurt-benkert-anthony-colandrea"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/26/24450331/virginia-cavaliers-uva-football-bryce-perkins-brennan-armstrong-kurt-benkert-anthony-colandrea</id> <author> <name>Dan Siegel</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-17T16:34:32-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-17T16:34:32-04:00</updated> <title>’Hoos in the MLB: Andrew Abbott is building an All-Star resume in Cincinnati</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Cincinnati Reds v Cleveland Guardians" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j8Cq9attwGSGOTlsLVGS7a4xgNQ=/2x0:5390x3592/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74137867/2219647340.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The former Cavalier is coming off the best start of his Major League career.</p> <p id="RjKmyI">Former <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> starting pitcher and current <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Red</a> Andrew Abbott returns to the mound tonight against the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> for his 12<sup>th</sup> start of the season .</p><div id="yBcOmf"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First career complete game ✅<br>First career shutout ✅<br><br>Andrew Abbott was NAILS tonight for the victorious <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Reds</a>! <a href="https://t.co/2DFtdRAfPH">pic.twitter.com/2DFtdRAfPH</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1932604046843547993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="sBpT4i">Abbott — who pitched in Charlottesville from 2017-2021, earning First Team All-ACC honors in 2021 while becoming the second pitcher in UVA history to strikeout 300 batters in a career — is coming off arguably the best start of his professional career last Tuesday. On the road facing the <a href="https://www.coveringthecorner.com/">Cleveland Guardians</a>, Abbott went the distance, punching out five batters and allowing just three hits as he dialed up a complete-game shutout (the first of his MLB career).</p><div id="tHZyzH"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Abbott, 3 hit Shutout! <a href="https://t.co/715wraZXxF">pic.twitter.com/715wraZXxF</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1932602567957139916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="AFAY3f">After two solid seasons with Cincinnati in 2023 and 2024, Abbott has taken his game to a new level this summer. Through 11 starts, the 6-foot lefty is 6-1 with 1.87 ERA (a mark that would be third best in the MLB, but Abbott hasn’t pitched enough innings to qualify for the official leaderboard), stepping up in the place of Reds’ ace Hunter Greene who has been battling a groin injury throughout the 2025 campaign.</p><div id="siQfQ9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Abbott fired off a complete game shutout today!<br><br>Abbott has been dominant this season and now holds a sparkling 1.87 ERA over 62.2 IP <a href="https://t.co/0JEddp7r9D">pic.twitter.com/0JEddp7r9D</a></p>— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJStats/status/1932603810804887715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="csjLV9">Despite pitching in Great American Ballpark, a notorious hitter’s haven, Abbott is building a legit All-Star Game resume and his ascension into ‘ace’ territory is backed up by many of baseball’s advanced metrics. Abbott — who works with a five pitch arsenal (four-seam fastball, change-up, sweeper, curveball, and his newly-implemented cutter) — hasn’t been a high-volume strikeout guy this season, but his ability to force weak contact has been spectacular.</p><p id="rbFR0p">Abbott’s 87.5 MPH Average Exit Velocity is in the 84th percentile among MLB pitchers and his 30.6% hard-hit percentage is in the 95<sup>th</sup> percentile, leading to an exceptional .184 Batting Average Against (96<sup>th</sup> percentile). Forcing soft contact is paramount in Cincinnati where barreled baseballs often leave the ballpark, and Abbott is putting on a clinic in that department this season.</p><div id="hhD3bL"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Abbott's ERA is down to 1.87 following last night's COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT! <a href="https://twitter.com/markdero7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@markdero7</a> breaks down the <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Reds</a> southpaw after he powered them to a 5th consecutive win. <a href="https://t.co/H871h18jB2">pic.twitter.com/H871h18jB2</a></p>— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1932820960983318898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="7Cnyg4">With a signature outing last week in Cleveland, a head-turning 1.87 ERA, and the advanced metrics to back it, Abbott is a couple more good starts from generating some serious All Star Game buzz. If Abbott were to earn a trip to Atlanta in mid-July, he would be the first former ’Hoo to make an All Star Game roster since Chris Taylor did so in 2021 for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/17/24451046/virginia-cavaliers-virginia-baseball-mlb-cincinnati-reds-andrew-abbott-all-star-game"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/17/24451046/virginia-cavaliers-virginia-baseball-mlb-cincinnati-reds-andrew-abbott-all-star-game</id> <author> <name>Corbin Lathrop</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-13T16:01:53-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-13T16:01:53-04:00</updated> <title>UVA Athletics announces $20.5 million revenue sharing plan for 2025-26 season</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Virginia Introduces Men’s Head Basketball Coach Ryan Odom" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7eRMB-fNo7SxAZNdUVahhfgdvt4=/0x0:4928x3285/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74132331/2206235407.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Breaking down Virginia’s latest public statement from Carla Williams</p> <p id="n4qZQC">The Virginia Cavaliers shared a statement Thursday afternoon from Athletic Director Carla Williams regarding the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6367741/2025/06/06/house-ncaa-settlement-approved-revenue-sharing/">recent House vs. NCAA settlement that permits universities to directly pay their athletes</a>. The <a href="https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1933179097686982979/photo/1">statement announced</a> that the University will directly pay $20.5 million in the 2025-26 athletic season to their student-athletes, the maximum permitted under the court settlement.</p><p id="g9TfJF">Since 2021, student-athletes could earn money from <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31086019/everything-need-know-ncaa-nil-debate">name, image, and likeness (NIL)</a> partnerships with third parties. Original NCAA guidance on NIL restricted schools and their respective employees from paying athletes directly or coordinating NIL deals on behalf of their athletes. Still, there was enormous room for flexibility, with state’s distinguishing their own parameters. Although many states were more progressive, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed legislation in 2023 <a href="https://virginiasports.com/news/2024/04/18/nil-bill-to-be-impactful-for-uva-athletics/">allowing increased school involvement in NIL deals</a>.</p><div id="f1wrjg"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A statement from Director of Athletics, Carla Williams, on the House settlement.<br><br>FAQ: <a href="https://t.co/ww07x3vGb2">https://t.co/ww07x3vGb2</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHoos</a> <a href="https://t.co/iEfHMsKygO">pic.twitter.com/iEfHMsKygO</a></p>— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirginiaSports/status/1933179097686982979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="i5bNVB">Now with the recent settlement, many of those early guardrails have been lifted. Starting July 1, the university can (and will) begin revenue sharing with athletes, <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/45467505/judge-grants-final-approval-house-v-ncaa-settlement">in addition to scholarships</a> and other benefits athletes receive. The settlement also approved NCAA to pay back $2.8 billion in damages to former athletes who could not participate in NIL prior to 2021.</p><p id="GLQR5v"> In her statement, Williams shared that to remain competitive, UVA will need to invest in revenue sharing, scholarships, commercial NIL, and operations. </p><p id="JDpyMk">“Revenue sharing for revenue producing sports will fuel the viability and success of athletic departments moving forward,” the statement reads. It goes on to applaud the success of the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) with a record $15.76 million in May 2025 and a record $22.6 million in endowment commitments in 2025 alone. Still, Williams’ tone is a call to action for increased support. “Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure a strong and sustainable future for Virginia Athletics.” </p><p id="1SfoUB">The statement called for continued investment and donations in order to “secure the future of Virginia Athletics,” said Williams, who <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/1/16/24345298/carla-williams-extension-uva-sports-virginia-david-teel-uva-football-tony-bennett-uva-basketball">signed a five-year extension</a> in January. As of December 2024, UVA was<a href="https://cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-uvas-nil-funding-gains-momentum-ranking-14th-nationally/"> ranked 14th nationally for its NIL collective</a> support with approximately $12.1 million. But, with the loss of two hall-of-fame coaches from men’s basketball and <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/2/24441630/virginia-cavaliers-uva-baseball-brian-oconnor-mississippi-state-bulldogs-head-coach-kevin-mcmullan">baseball</a>, a dragging football program, and the continued revolving door of the transfer portal, Williams is encouraging investments for stability in the new, developing era of college athletics.</p><p id="Y8MHcb">To help navigate the change, the statement announced an upcoming podcast, including Williams and special guests, to dive deeper into the operations of UVA athletics.</p><p id="PHC1US">It was commonly believed that the rise of NIL would open the door to a new kind of college sports. And, it’s nearly certain that the days of full-ride, athletic scholarship recruiting are over. It will take much more to attract top recruits. But, will this offer the roster stability UVA and college sports need? </p><p id="i5Eh4m">Perhaps more importantly, some are wondering about the settlement’s effect <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-7aab7a3f3ee0a045b1cf1ce69e029b45">on non-revenue sports</a>—which, currently, are UVA’s top performing programs. </p><p id="owxBWH">Still, UVA’s very own <a href="https://virginiasports.com/player/kate-johnson/">Kate Johnson</a> is one of eight female student-athletes <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6419483/2025/06/11/house-ncaa-settlement-appeal-title-ix/">who filed an appeal</a> in light of the settlement. The appeal claims that the pay-backs to former athletes prior to NIL violates Title IX anti discrimination because female athletes will be paid less than football and men’s basketball players. $2.8 billion in damages.</p><p id="Otxn12">While NIL and revenue sharing continue to change the landscape of college sports and UVA athletics, it’s fair to expect continued development, regulations, and adjustments to the new, semi-professional model. </p><p id="y9SyVe"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/13/24448317/virginia-cavaliers-uva-athletics-carla-williams-revenue-sharing-nil-kate-jounson-title-xi"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/13/24448317/virginia-cavaliers-uva-athletics-carla-williams-revenue-sharing-nil-kate-jounson-title-xi</id> <author> <name>Anna Thomas</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-10T12:07:40-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-10T12:07:40-04:00</updated> <title>BREAKING: Duke’s Chris Pollard officially hired as UVA baseball head coach.</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="Duke v Miami" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hfwZ1E3rzIh_CE6s0lVTOI_l_ww=/0x0:6877x4585/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74126842/1493576512.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Pollard will take the reigns in Charlottesville after Brian O’Connor left for Mississippi State.</p> <p id="hUO7Vj">Less than a week after now former <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> head coach Brian O’Connor was introduced in Starkville as Mississippi State’s new leader, the ‘Hoos have found their coach of the future. After a heartbreaking loss to Murray State in the decisive third game of the super regionals, Duke’s Chris Pollard is set to take the reigns in Charlottesville according to a release from the UVA Athletic Department.</p><p id="Zb1J6x">Pollard’s road to Charlottesville includes stints at four different schools. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Davidson College, as an assistant in 1996, before landing his first head coaching position at Division II Pfeiffer University, where he led the Falcons for five seasons, improving the program’s record each of his five years.</p><p id="QEUKRS">He then earned his first Division I head coaching job at Appalachian State. Pollard played a major part in turning around a Mountaineer that struggled to break double-digit wins in the years leading up to his hiring. He nearly led the program to a super regional in 2012, falling just short in the championship game of the Charlottesville Regional against Oklahoma after upsetting UVA earlier in the week.</p><p id="khRpap">Pollard took his program-building acumen to the ACC in 2013 to revive a struggling Duke program. Much like Pollards previous coaching stints, success followed after his hiring. After years of building, the Blue Devils found consistent success spanning from 2018 to this year, making their way to the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament in 2018, 2019, 2023, and now 2025.</p><p id="K41Ftw">Duke hosted its first Super Regional in program history this past weekend. And, although they were unable to reach Omaha under Pollard, the fact that additional stands where needed to be brought into Jack Coombs Field to accommodate the growing crowd is an eerily similar parallel to how Brian O’Connor continually elevated the Virginia program for years on end and makes this hire feel like an even better fit for the ‘Hoos.</p><div id="q7jCxw"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a new era.<br><br>Welcome to Charlottesville, <a href="https://twitter.com/coachchris14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachchris14</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHoos</a> <a href="https://t.co/B3CDkw4eiD">pic.twitter.com/B3CDkw4eiD</a></p>— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/UVABaseball/status/1932469396913697060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="O6XiCn">It will be nearly impossible to follow, and live up to, the standard that O’Connor set for UVA baseball. But hiring a guy like Pollard, who has consistently shown the ability to build a winner at multiple places with significantly less fanfare and resources around them, to now gaining a step up in facilities, location, and historical success, is reason to feel optimistic about the Cavalier baseball program going forward after losing a legend like O’Connor. </p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/10/24446433/uva-baseball-chris-pollard-duke-baseball-head-coach-hire-brian-oconnor"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/10/24446433/uva-baseball-chris-pollard-duke-baseball-head-coach-hire-brian-oconnor</id> <author> <name>Garrett Keogh</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2025-06-07T21:48:42-04:00</published> <updated>2025-06-07T21:48:42-04:00</updated> <title>Ryan Odom talks growing up at UVA, roster construction, play style, and more with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-VCU at Brigham Young" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DOn5uKjsNqwmjSAAV_HkM1crqvk=/0x0:3514x2343/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74122868/usa_today_25721369.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Odom discusses his basketball past while looking ahead to the 2025-26 season at UVA.</p> <p id="6Gfbrn">We’ve got a ways to go before the college basketball season, but new <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> men’s basketball coach Ryan Odom is as busy as ever. In case you haven’t been paying attention, Odom’s been on a recruiting tear over the last few months, building next year’s roster from scratch. </p><p id="lYXQxy">He’s quite literally gone around the world to assemble a team, and he’s got a clear mission in mind: get back to the NCAA Tournament.</p><p id="QWL0dF">Ryan Odom joined CBS Sports’ college basketball insider Jon Rothstein for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq_PDhBFS3g">a half-hour interview</a> on Thursday. They discussed Odom’s deep UVA ties, his coaching journey, and some expectations for the team this upcoming season.</p><p id="2mQiov">Ryan grew up watching UVA basketball with a front-row view because his father, Dave, was an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team from 1982-1989.</p><p id="7c0ivd">“Virginia is a place that’s home for me,” said Odom. “I was fortunate enough to live literally right next to University Hall and to have that time with my father, to be a young kid coming into University Hall, and see not only the men’s team but the women’s team practicing too [was special]. Dawn Staley was playing for UVA at the time ... Coach Holland obviously was doing big things at UVA. In a lot of ways this is where I fell in love with basketball.”</p><p id="sjzRDl">Odom’s always been in love with Charlottesville and the UVA basketball program, just as most kids have a deep nostalgic connection to the place they spent their formative years. Unfortunately, Virginia basketball fans haven’t always felt that love toward him. </p><p id="1QsAnn">I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times by now, but Ryan Odom was the coach of UMBC when they shocked the world by upsetting Tony Bennett and the one-seed Cavaliers in the First Round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Although it was a moment of triumph for one coach and utter humiliation for another, the two coaches handled it with the utmost grace. And it’s led to a great relationship that should continue into the future in Charlottesville.</p><p id="0D1rDW">“[Tony Bennett] and I texted pretty much right after the game,” said Odom. “That moment was a little bit bittersweet for me ... because I knew what they were going through on the other side of it. To see them bounce back and win that title was really gratifying for me ... You want to see good guys succeed, and guys that are good humans beings succeed, and certainly there’s none better than Tony Bennett ... I’m gonna need him, I’m gonna lean on him as we go about this process.”</p><p id="voLTLY">The process will look a lot different than it did when Bennett took over in 2009. The college basketball landscape has flipped upside down, and it’s a large reason as to why Bennett retired. In order for Odom to build a winning program, he recognizes that it will take an adaptable, multi-faceted, recruiting approach. Money is one part of the equation. But it’s not the most important part.</p><p id="F3121e">“We want to recruit the best high school players in the country,” said Odom. “And we want to be able to retain those kids ... and we want to go out in the portal and find guys that fit our style ... you’ve got to be ready when that portal opens to attack.”</p><p id="eqVUxO">Sometimes you have to look outside the country for talent, like Odom did to get 19 year-old <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/4/28/24416847/uva-basketball-johann-grunloh-commitment-ryan-odom-virginia-basketball-recruiting-transfer-portal">German center Johann Grunloh</a>.</p><p id="jb208d">“International recruiting is going to be a focus,” said Odom.</p><p id="GsASnb">Odom didn’t go into much detail about specific players, but one guy he talked about was <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU</a> transfer point guard <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/4/9/24404566/uva-basketball-dallin-hall-commitment-ryan-odom-transfer-portal-virginia">Dallin Hall</a>. Hall played a key role on the BYU team that beat Odom and VCU in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament last year. Clearly, Odom liked what he saw from Hall.</p><p id="9ztDVK">“I saw a big time player,” said Odom. “He would sub in the game and immediately the game would change. His ability to play in pick-and-roll, his ability to defend multiple positions, his toughness, his winning mentality, his leadership on the court.”</p><p id="ykN79f">Virginia desperately needs veteran leadership next season. It was something that was tangibly missing last season, particularly at the point guard position. With a roster full of new faces, and plenty of youth, veteran players like Dallin Hall and fifth-year transfer guard <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/5/10/24404190/uva-basketball-malik-thomas-virginia-basketball-transfer-portal-san-fransisco-guard-ryan-odom">Malik Thomas</a> will have to embrace leadership roles. </p><p id="w6vkcM">“Everyone talks about Malik [Thomas], Malik’s dynamite,” said Odom. “He comes in scoring quickly ... [He’s] a very mature guy, a very motivated player.”</p><p id="9TpvTA">Thomas was a later commit to Virginia, as the highly-sought after all-conference guard needed a waiver from the NCAA to grant him eligibility to play for a fifth season. Thomas averaged nearly 20 points per game for San Francisco last season while shooting just shy of 40% from three. Based on his resume and Coach Odom’s comments, it seems like Thomas has a good chance to be UVA’s leading scorer next year.</p><p id="MbgU5T">Odom believes in the roster he’s put together. It’s a deep, balanced team with a lot of talent. Belief can only go so far. Odom wants to produce wins and to do so quickly, and he’s set out a goal to “get back to the NCAA Tournament” in his first season.</p><p id="bP3Oxd">The ACC sent just four teams to the NCAA Tournament last year. It was an embarrassing result for a proud basketball conference, leading to some structural changes going into the 2025-26 season. The ACC elected to take away two conference games for each team, cutting the total from 20 down to 18, with the intention of allowing for more flexibility in the non-conference schedule for each team to put together a better tournament resume. </p><p id="d4Of62">“We’re working through now trying to schedule high-major teams, [we] may even potentially schedule another ACC team that we’re not playing,” said Odom. </p><p id="Blo4VA">That team is almost definitely Clemson, the one ACC team that UVA is not set to face based on the <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/5/28/24439029/uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-acc-opponents-virginia-cavaliers-ryan-odom">18-game conference schedule</a>. Clemson is coming off back-to-back impressive seasons under Coach Brad Brownell, so they would present a great challenge if UVA decides to schedule them after all. </p><p id="pendv3">Odom understands that it will take some time for UVA fans to adjust to a new coaching style. Bennett’s stylistic philosophy was instilled in the program over the last sixteen years, and Odom plans to approach the game with a much different style.</p><p id="fKLt7i">“One of the things I want to do is connect to the fanbase,” said Odom. “It’s going to be a different style of play, it’s gonna look different out there...our style of play where we’re picking up full-court and putting pressure on the offense and then pushing it really fast in transition putting pressure on their defense. I think it’s gonna be a fun style for our fans.”</p><p id="qZsH2U">Tony Bennett’s teams played at a careful, methodical pace, limiting turnovers and grinding teams out on defense. Similar to <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/5/24441825/virginia-cavaliers-uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-rick-carlisle-indiana-pacers-nba-finals">Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle</a>, Ryan Odom wants to play fast, embracing chaos on offense and defense, forcing turnovers and shooting lots of threes. </p><p id="pksL2V">Games will be a track meet instead of a chess match, but if Odom is able to succeed as he has at every stop on his coaching journey, the games should be just as beautiful. </p><p id="ali04n">Jon Rothstein described at as only Jon Rothstein could:</p><p id="xTxco6">“Virginia basketball could be a thing of beauty again under Ryan Odom with a different model.” </p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/7/24444389/virginia-cavaliers-uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-ryan-odom-jon-rothstein-tony-bennett"/> <id>https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2025/6/7/24444389/virginia-cavaliers-uva-basketball-virginia-basketball-ryan-odom-jon-rothstein-tony-bennett</id> <author> <name>John J. 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