Andrew Pace
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team, representing the University of Virginia, has had a rich history in the sport. They have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 14 times and won the NCAA Tournament Championship in 2019, defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime. This win marked the program's first NCAA Championship, with ESPN calling it the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball. The Cavaliers have also won the Capital One Cup for men's sports twice, in 2015 and 2019, and have earned seven No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Virginia Cavaliers |
| Year of winning the championship | 2019 |
| Score | 85-77 |
| Opponent | Texas Tech |
| Coach | Tony Bennett |
| Conference | ACC |
| Record | 35-3 (16-2) |
| Conference Finish | T-1st |
| Conference Tournament Finish | Lost in semifinals |
| NCAA Tournament Seed | No. 1 seed |
| NCAA Tournament Region | South Region |
| Previous year's record | 31-3 |
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What You'll Learn
The Virginia Cavaliers won the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has had a long and illustrious history, but it wasn't until 2019 that they finally claimed their first NCAA Tournament Championship. It was a historic moment for the Cavaliers, who had experienced both highs and lows in the preceding years.
The 2018-19 season will forever be etched in the memories of Virginia Cavaliers fans as the year their team rose from the ashes of a devastating loss to claim the ultimate prize. The previous season, the Cavaliers had become the first No. 1 seed to fall to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA tournament, suffering a shocking defeat at the hands of UMBC. However, they bounced back in remarkable fashion, showcasing the resilience and determination that would define their championship run.
The 2019 NCAA Tournament was a testament to the Cavaliers' perseverance and talent. Led by Coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers played with efficiency and a strong defensive strategy, outscoring their opponents by an impressive margin. Their slow and steady approach paid off, as they ranked last in adjusted tempo nationally but excelled in other crucial areas. Their offensive prowess was evident, with the team making nearly 40% of their three-point shots, ranking 8th in the nation.
The Cavaliers' road to the championship was not without its challenges. In one game, they faced a 14-0 run by the Auburn Tigers, who took a four-point lead with just 20 seconds remaining. However, the Cavaliers refused to give up, and with just 0.6 seconds left, Kyle Guy drew a foul and sank three shots to give Virginia a one-point lead and secure the win. This clutch performance sent them to the championship game, where they faced Texas Tech.
The national championship game was a thrilling overtime encounter, with Virginia ultimately prevailing 85-77. This victory not only marked the Cavaliers' first NCAA Tournament Championship but also served as "basketball's ultimate redemption story," as CBS This Morning dubbed it. The Cavaliers' triumph showcased that tempo is not the sole determinant of success and that a well-executed strategy, combined with talent and determination, can achieve remarkable results.
The 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship was a watershed moment for the Virginia Cavaliers, solidifying their place in the annals of college basketball history and rewarding their unwavering dedication and resilience.
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The Cavaliers' 2019 redemption story
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has a long and storied history, but the 2018-2019 season will forever be remembered as one of redemption and triumph. Coming off a historic loss in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, where they became the first #1 seed to fall to a #16 seed, the Cavaliers bounced back in remarkable fashion to win the 2019 NCAA Tournament and claim their first-ever national championship.
The road to redemption began with a strong start to the 2018-19 season. Led by Coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers found themselves atop the ACC standings once again with a dominant 17-1 record. They entered the NCAA Tournament as a #1 seed for the second consecutive year, this time in the South Region, seeking to rewrite history.
The Cavaliers' journey through the NCAA Tournament was filled with thrilling moments. In the second round, they faced a tough test against Oklahoma, but prevailed with a hard-fought 63-51 victory. The Sweet 16 brought another challenge in the form of Oregon, but Virginia's stifling defense shone as they pulled away with a 53-49 win. The Elite Eight matchup against Purdue was an instant classic, with Virginia surviving in overtime, 80-75, to secure their place in the Final Four.
In the National Semifinals, the Cavaliers faced off against Auburn, and the game came down to the wire. With Virginia trailing by two and time winding down, Kyle Guy drew a foul with just 0.6 seconds remaining. Showing incredible composure, Guy sank all three free throws to give Virginia a dramatic one-point victory and a ticket to the National Championship game.
In the title game, the Cavaliers faced a formidable Texas Tech team. It was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away. Regulation ended with the score tied at 68, sending the game to overtime. In the extra period, Virginia found another gear, outscoring their opponents 9-7 to claim the national championship with a final score of 85-77.
The 2019 NCAA Tournament victory was a testament to the Cavaliers' resilience and determination. ESPN hailed their campaign as "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball." The Cavaliers not only captured their first national championship but also silenced critics who doubted their style of play, proving that efficiency and strong defense could bring ultimate success. The 2019 season will forever be etched in the memories of Cavaliers fans as the year they rose from the ashes to reach the pinnacle of college basketball.
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UVA's 2018 NCAA Tournament loss
The University of Virginia's Cavaliers men's basketball team has had a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements. However, their 2018 NCAA Tournament loss to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers is considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.
Going into the tournament, the Cavaliers were the number one overall seed and heavy favourites to win the championship. They had dominated the regular season, posting an impressive 28-2 record and winning the ACC Tournament. Their defence was touted as the best in the nation, allowing only 53.4 points per game.
However, in their first-round matchup against the 16th-seeded Retrievers, the Cavaliers stumbled. UMBC, led by coach Ryan Odom, played an inspired game, with a particular focus on three-point shooting and dictating the tempo from the start. The Retrievers' guards were given freedom to penetrate and shoot, while their defence stepped up when needed. UMBC's Jairus Lyles had a standout performance, scoring 28 points, including 50% of his three-point attempts.
On the other hand, Virginia struggled to find their rhythm and played below their usual standard. They took bad shots, lacked ball movement, and were stagnant on offence. The Cavaliers were outscored by 20 points, ultimately losing 54-74 in what was their season-ending game. It was the first time in the history of the tournament that a 16th seed had beaten a number one seed, making it a historic and embarrassing loss for UVA.
Despite this devastating loss, the Cavaliers bounced back the following year, winning the 2019 NCAA Tournament and claiming their first NCAA Championship. This redemption story was hailed by many as one of the greatest in college basketball history.
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UVA's 2019 season under Tony Bennett
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has won the NCAA Tournament Championship once, in 2019. This was the program's first NCAA Championship, and it came just a year after a historic loss to former UVA ballboy Ryan Odom and his 16-seed UMBC in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. ESPN called the 2018-19 campaign "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball".
Tony Bennett was the head coach of the Cavaliers for the 2019 championship-winning season. He was named head coach in 2009 and retired in 2024. During his time at UVA, Bennett proved himself to be one of the very best coaches in college basketball, leading the program to unprecedented success. He was named College Basketball Person of the Year in 2019 by The Athletic, and was included in Fortune magazine's list of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders.
Under Bennett's guidance, Virginia had four of the five teams with records of 16-2 or better in the 18-game era (2012-2019) of ACC play. He also led the Cavaliers to six ACC regular-season titles and two ACC tournament titles. Bennett's teams increased their win total in every successive season, and he holds Virginia's highest winning percentage in school history.
Tony Bennett retired from coaching ahead of the 2024-25 season, only months after signing a long-term contract extension. Associate head coach Ron Sanchez was named as the team's interim leader for the season.
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UVA's 2019 Championship game against Texas Tech
The University of Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship in 2019, defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 85-77 in a game that went into overtime. This was the Cavaliers' first appearance in the NCAA championship game.
The Cavaliers' victory in the 2019 NCAA Tournament marked the program's first NCAA Championship, completing a remarkable turnaround from the previous year when they suffered a historic loss to a former UVA ballboy, Ryan Odom, and his 16-seed UMBC in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
The 2019 championship game against Texas Tech was a back-and-forth contest. Texas Tech's Davide Moretti hit a three-pointer for the team's first field goal of the game, cutting Virginia's lead to 9-6. Virginia's Kyle Guy quickly responded with his own three-pointer, extending the Cavaliers' lead to 12-6. The game remained close throughout, with Texas Tech calling an early timeout to stop a 7-0 run by Virginia.
As the game went into overtime, Texas Tech's Matt Mooney opened with two baskets, including a three-pointer, giving his team an early lead in the extra period. However, Virginia went on an 11-0 scoring run to secure the victory with a final score of 85-77. Kyle Guy was chosen as the NCAA basketball tournament's Most Outstanding Player, while his teammate Hunter finished with a career-high 27 points.
The University of Virginia's win in the 2019 NCAA championship game against Texas Tech was a significant moment in the school's basketball history, earning them their first national title and capping off a season of redemption and remarkable turnaround.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the University of Virginia Cavaliers won the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship in 2019.
The Cavaliers beat Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime.
The game was played in Minneapolis.
The Cavaliers were the paragon of efficiency, ranked second nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency. They were also the slowest nationally, ranked 353rd (last) in adjusted tempo.
