Kristian Ferrell
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has a rich history dating back to 1905. Known colloquially as the Cavaliers, the team has experienced both highs and lows over the years, including a period of dominance in the early decades of college basketball under coach Pop Lannigan from 1905 to 1929. The Cavaliers have earned seven No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament, most recently in 2019 when they won the NCAA Tournament Championship. In addition, they have been ranked in the Top 5 of the AP Poll more than 100 times since 1980. The Cavaliers play their home games at the John Paul Jones Arena, which opened in 2006 and has a capacity of 14,623. With a dedicated fan base and a history of success, the Virginia Cavaliers have established themselves as a prominent force in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Virginia Cavaliers |
| Team Name (Informal) | The Cavaliers |
| Team Name (Nickname) | The Hoos |
| Home Games Stadium | John Paul Jones Arena |
| Year of Stadium Inauguration | 2006 |
| Stadium Capacity | 14,623 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament No. 1 Seeds | 7 |
| Number of ACC Season Titles | 11 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Championships | 1 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Third-Place Finishes | 1 |
| Number of ACC Tournament Titles | 2 |
| Number of NBA Rookie of the Year Awardees | 2 |
| Number of Naismith College Player of the Year Awardees | 1 |
| Number of NABC Defensive Player of the Year Awardees | 2 |
| Number of Lefty Driesell Awardees | 1 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Awardees | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Virginia Cavaliers' 2018-19 season
The 2018–19 season of the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team was a highly successful one. The Cavaliers received a No. 1 seed in the South region of the NCAA tournament, despite being unranked by the AP in the preseason poll. They won the NCAA Tournament Championship, defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in the final. This was their first NCAA Tournament Championship win since 1981, when they won the last-ever NCAA Tournament third-place game.
The 2018–19 Cavaliers also claimed their fourth ACC regular-season title in six years, with a 16–2 ACC record. In the ACC tournament, they defeated NC State but then fell to Florida State in the conference semifinals. In the NCAA tournament, they dispatched Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue, Auburn, and finally Texas Tech to secure the championship. This was the program's first-ever trip to the national championship game, and the win cemented their place as one of the top college basketball programs in the country.
The 2018–19 Virginia Cavaliers team was characterised by a strong defence, allowing only 56.1 points per game, the best in the country. They also had a high-scoring offense, with 71.4 points per game, ranking 210th out of 353 teams. The team was well-coached by Tony Bennett, who guided them to success. Players like Kyle Guy, who was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Ty Jerome, a junior guard, also played pivotal roles in the team's success.
The Cavaliers' road to the championship was not without its challenges. Their loss to Florida State in the ACC tournament semifinals was a setback, but they regrouped and went on a run in the NCAA tournament, ultimately achieving a historic victory. The 2018–19 season will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of Virginia Cavaliers basketball, as it marked their first national championship and solidified their status as a dominant force in college basketball.
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2018 UMBC vs Virginia game
On March 16, 2018, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, defeating the Virginia Cavaliers 75-54. UMBC became the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, with senior guard Jairus Lyles scoring 28 points.
The game was a blowout, with UMBC outscoring Virginia 53-33 in the second half after being tied 21-21 at halftime. The Retrievers had a Cinderella run, advancing to the round of 32 to face the Kansas State Wildcats. The game was close, with UMBC trailing by only three points with two minutes remaining. However, they ultimately lost 43-50, ending their tournament run.
Virginia, meanwhile, went on to win the NCAA tournament championship the following year in 2019, becoming the first first-time winner of the national championship since Florida 13 years prior. ESPN called their championship run "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball," while NBC Sports dubbed it "the greatest redemption story in the history of sports."
The 2018 UMBC vs. Virginia game will forever be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, with UMBC stunning the sports world and Virginia using that anguish to fuel their championship run the following year.
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UVA's 1981 NCAA tournament run
The 1981 NCAA Division I basketball tournament involved 48 schools playing in a single-elimination format to determine the national men's champion. Indiana, coached by Bob Knight, won the national title with a 63-50 victory over North Carolina.
The University of Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team, also known as the Wahoos or Hoos, had a strong run in the 1981 NCAA tournament. They entered the tournament as the 1 seed in the East Regional bracket. After receiving a first-round bye, they defeated Villanova 54-50 in the second round. They then beat Tennessee and Brigham Young (BYU) by 14 points each in the subsequent rounds to clinch a spot in the Final Four—their first in program history.
In the national semifinals, the Cavaliers faced the North Carolina Tar Heels, who they had swept in the ACC regular season. This time, however, the Tar Heels emerged victorious, dashing the Cavaliers' championship hopes. Nonetheless, Virginia ended their season on a positive note, defeating Louisiana State in the national third-place game, capping off the program's most successful season up to that point.
The 1981-82 Cavaliers team featured several notable players, including Ralph Sampson, who went on to have a successful NBA career, and Othell Wilson, whose determination and desire were instrumental in the team's success. The team was coached by Terry Holland, with assistant coaches Craig Littlepage and Jim Larranaga.
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UVA's 2014 ACC tournament
The University of Virginia's athletic teams are known as the Virginia Cavaliers, or simply Virginia or UVA in sports media. The men's basketball team won the 2014 ACC Tournament, which was held from March 12 to 16 in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the Greensboro Coliseum. This was their second ACC tournament championship and first since 1976.
UVA entered the 2014 ACC tournament as the 1-seed after clinching the ACC regular-season title outright for the first time since 1981. They defeated Florida State in the quarterfinals and Pittsburgh in the semifinals. In the championship game, they faced 3rd-seeded Duke and won, marking their first ACC tournament victory since 1976.
The 2014 ACC Tournament was also notable for being the first to include 15 teams due to the addition of Syracuse, Pitt, and Notre Dame, and it was also the last tournament to feature Maryland, which left for the Big Ten Conference after the season.
Since 2014, Virginia has experienced further success, winning one NCAA Tournament (2019) and two more ACC Tournaments (2018 and 2019). The program has consistently been ranked among the nation's top athletics programs, with numerous individual players receiving recognition for their achievements.
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Virginia's 2019 NCAA tournament championship
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has had a long and storied history, but their 2018-19 season stands out as a particularly remarkable campaign. Entering the 2019 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East Regional, the Cavaliers had their sights set on redemption after the disappointment of the previous year's first-round exit.
Led by Coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers embarked on a resilient and clutch-filled tournament run, characterised by their ability to pull through in tight situations. This included an overtime victory against Purdue, 80-75, on their way to the Final Four in Minneapolis. The Cavaliers' united pursuit and trembling courage, as described by Coach Bennett, saw them overcome close calls and advance to the national championship game.
In the title game, the Cavaliers faced Texas Tech, and with a three-point lead in the closing moments, Texas Tech made a mistake, allowing Virginia to secure the victory and the national championship. This win marked the culmination of a year filled with determination and clutch performances, as the Cavaliers claimed their first NCAA Tournament Championship since 1981, solidifying their place in the history of college basketball.
The 2019 championship run was a significant moment for the Virginia Cavaliers, their fans, and the entire university. It showcased the team's resilience, unity, and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most, capping off a memorable season that will forever be etched in the annals of Virginia Cavaliers basketball history.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Virginia Cavaliers have been ranked in the Top 5 of the AP Poll more than 100 times since 1980 and have earned seven No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament.
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team first became the number 1 seed in the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
The highest ranking the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has achieved is No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Virginia Cavaliers have won the NCAA Tournament Championship once, in 2019.
