Kristian Ferrell
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has won the NCAA Tournament Championship once, in 2019. The Cavaliers won the NCAA DI men's basketball championship in Minneapolis with an 85-77 overtime victory over Texas Tech. This was the program's first NCAA Championship. The Cavaliers have also won the ACC tournament three times, defeating Duke or North Carolina in each title game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Championships won by Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team | 1 |
| Year of Championship win | 2019 |
| Championship game opponent | Texas Tech |
| Championship game score | 85-77 |
| Championship game overtime | Yes |
| Championship game location | Minneapolis |
| Previous year's record | 31-3 |
| Previous year's finish | Top of ACC standings |
| Coach | Tony Bennett |
| Number of permanent head coaches | 11 |
| Longest-serving head coach | Pop Lannigan |
| Longest-serving head coach tenure | 24 years |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team
The Cavaliers have a long-standing rivalry with Maryland, another ACC member, which dates back many decades. The two schools would traditionally meet in the last game of the season, vying for ACC season championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The Cavaliers also have a rivalry with the UNC Tar Heels, which spans many sports and has persisted since the late 1800s.
The Cavaliers play their home games at the on-campus John Paul Jones Arena, which opened in 2006 and has a capacity of 14,623. The team has been ranked in the Top 5 of the AP Poll over 100 times since 1980 and has earned seven No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. They have won the ACC tournament three times, with their overall record in the 2018-19 championship season being 35-3.
The Cavaliers' 2019 championship win challenged misconceptions about the style of play needed to win a title. Despite ranking last in adjusted tempo, they excelled in offensive and defensive efficiency, outscoring their opponents by an impressive margin. The team's slow pace and high efficiency were key factors in their success, showcasing the importance of ball control and accurate three-point shooting.
The University of Virginia's athletic program has had much success, with the Cavaliers winning 34 NCAA Team National Championships across various sports as of 2024.
The Top Contenders for Men's Basketball Number One Spot
You may want to see also
Explore related products
2019 NCAA Tournament Championship
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team won the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship, defeating Texas Tech in a close game. This was the Cavaliers' first NCAA Tournament Championship, and it came after a disappointing loss in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
Led by head coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers earned a No. 1 seed in the South Regional and defeated Gardner-Webb and Oklahoma to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. They then beat Oregon to make it to the Elite Eight, where they defeated Purdue in overtime to advance to their first Final Four since 1984. In the Final Four, they beat Auburn by a single point to advance to the championship game.
The championship game against Texas Tech was a back-and-forth affair, with Virginia holding a slim lead for most of the second half. With time winding down, Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver attempted a three-pointer to win the game, but the shot was blocked, sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, Virginia went on an 11-0 run to pull away and secure the victory.
Virginia's Kyle Guy was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and De'Andre Hunter's strong performance solidified his status as a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA draft. The Cavaliers' championship run was hailed as "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball" by ESPN, and it marked a historic moment for the program.
Illinois Basketball: Did They Win?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
2018 NCAA Tournament loss
The 2018 NCAA Tournament saw Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team suffer a historic loss to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers. It was the first time in the history of the NCAA tournament that a No. 16 seed had beaten a No. 1 seed.
The game was a 20-point blowout, with UMBC winning 74-54. Virginia's performance was uncharacteristically poor, with the team taking bad shots, committing fouls, and failing to share the ball. They shot at just 18% from three-pointers, compared to UMBC's 50%. Virginia's loss was all the more surprising given that they had been dominant throughout the 2017-18 season, ending with a 35-3 record and their first No. 1 ranking in almost four decades.
The loss was particularly embarrassing for Virginia as it was also the first time they had lost to a former UVA ballboy, Ryan Odom, who was the coach of the UMBC team. Virginia's De'Andre Hunter, who missed the game due to a wrist injury, became a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA draft after a convincing title game showdown.
Despite this setback, Virginia demonstrated resilience and went on to win the NCAA Tournament Championship in 2019, defeating Texas Tech. Their remarkable comeback led ESPN to call their 2018-19 campaign "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball." NBC Sports described it as "the greatest redemption story in the history of sports."
NCAA Basketball Tournament Champions: Who Took the Crown?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Cavaliers' roster and stats
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Cavaliers have enjoyed a successful history in college basketball, with a long-standing rivalry against Maryland, which has spanned many decades.
The Cavaliers won the NCAA Tournament Championship in 2019, defeating Texas Tech in the final. This was the program's first NCAA Championship, and it came just a year after a historic loss to UMBC in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The 2018-19 season was dubbed ""the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball" by ESPN, and Virginia ended the season with a school-record 35-3 record.
The Cavaliers have had their fair share of notable players and coaches throughout their history. The 1975-76 season was disappointing, but the team still managed to make the ACC tournament, and the 1980s saw the Cavaliers consistently ranked in the Top 5 of the AP Poll. The Cavaliers have been coached by Pop Lannigan, who led the team from 1905 to 1929 and established them as a top program in college basketball.
In recent years, the Cavaliers have continued to perform well. In the 2022-23 NBA season, the Cavaliers unveiled an updated logo and colour scheme, and the team achieved a 15-0 start to the season, tying for the second-best start in franchise history. The Cavaliers have also had success in the NBA, with LeBron James leading the team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2018 and winning their first NBA Championship in 2016.
Nevada's Basketball Champions: Who Took the Crown?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cavaliers' head coaches
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has won the NCAA Tournament Championship once, in 2019. They also won the last-ever NCAA Tournament third-place game in 1981.
The Cavaliers have had a total of 11 permanent head coaches and 2 interim head coaches. Here is a list of some of their head coaches:
Pop Lannigan (1905-1929)
Lannigan was the longest-serving head coach of the Cavaliers, with a tenure of 24 years. He was a coach during the early decades of college basketball, and under his guidance, the Cavaliers were a top program.
Gus Tebell (1930-1951)
Tebell was a multi-sport coach who led the Cavaliers to consistent wins.
Terry Holland (1974-)
Holland arrived in 1974 and in his second year, the Cavaliers won their first ACC Championship and earned their first NCAA tournament appearance.
Tony Bennett
Bennett led the Cavaliers to their 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship win. He retired in 2025 and was replaced by Ryan Odom.
Ryan Odom (2025-)
Odom was previously a coach at UMBC, famously leading them to victory over UVA in 2018.
The Cavaliers have also had several notable NBA coaches, including:
Bill Fitch
Fitch was the first head coach of the Cavaliers NBA franchise, coaching for nine seasons. He is the franchise's all-time leader for the most regular-season games coached (738).
Lenny Wilkens (1986-1993)
Wilkens is the franchise's all-time leader for the most regular-season game wins (316). He was also named one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history.
Mike Brown (2005-2010, 2013-2014)
Brown is the Cavaliers' all-time leader for the most playoff games coached (71) and the most playoff game wins (42).
David Blatt (2014-2016)
Blatt has the highest regular-season winning percentage (.675) and the highest playoff winning percentage (.700).
Tyronn Lue (2016-2018)
Lue is the only coach to lead the Cavaliers to an NBA championship, in 2016.
Mastering Rocket League Basketball: Secrets to Scoring Goals
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team has won one NCAA Tournament Championship in 2019. They also won the last-ever NCAA Tournament third-place game in 1981.
The University of Virginia has won 34 NCAA team national championships.
The Virginia Cavaliers set a new school record in 2019 with 35 wins in a single season.
