On Sunday, the University of Virginia (UVA) basketball team faced Vanderbilt in an exhibition game, concluding with an 82-73 loss at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, S.C. This matchup marked the earliest college basketball game of the year and the first played outdoors since 2022. Throughout the game, players experienced varied conditions, as half the court remained in the shade while the other half was exposed to sunlight.
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This year’s contest follows a similar preseason loss to Vanderbilt last October, when the Commodores triumphed 95-87. Vanderbilt, which excelled last season with a record of 27-9 (11-7 SEC) and a victory in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed, is regarded as a strong benchmark for the Cavaliers. The game was competitive, featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties. Virginia held its last lead at 55-54, courtesy of a three-pointer from Jurian Dixon with 8:53 remaining before Vanderbilt reclaimed control.
Virginia approached this game as an exhibition, resting key players. Chance Mallory was sidelined due to an ankle injury, while Christian Harmon and Desmond Roberts also did not play. Head coach Ryan Odom noted that they decided against rushing Mallory back into action. Virginia utilized significant rotation throughout the game, with at least 14 players participating and 12 scoring. The bench outpaced the starters, contributing 37 points to the starters' 36.
In terms of lineup adjustments, Nolan Adekunle appears to have secured a starting position, joining Jan Vide, Sam Lewis, Thijs De Ridder, and Johann Grünloh. When Mallory returns, this setup could evolve into a more robust lineup. Adekunle was particularly notable for his rebounding, leading the team with six rebounds and contributing offensively with a three-pointer and a layup.
Despite the loss, Virginia struggled with physicality compared to Vanderbilt, particularly in the first half. The Commodores outscored the Cavaliers 46-22 in the paint and had a remarkable edge in fast-break points, tallying 20 to Virginia's 5. Vanderbilt's Jayden Leverett recorded 15 points alongside seven rebounds, and Virginia was out-rebounded 43-36, with several offensive boards coming off missed free throws.
Virginia's defense also raised concerns regarding rim protection, especially with the absence of last season's top shot-blocker Ugonna Onyenso. The Cavaliers managed only one block during the game, demonstrating a potential vulnerability. Freshman Favour Ibe provided glimpses of promise in limited minutes, showing signs of being a potential contributor in the future.
The team's shooting was another area of struggle, as players combined to shoot just 21.4 percent from three-point range. UVA missed several free throws and struggled with turnovers, recording 11 turnovers against just 12 assists, with the Commodores capitalizing on these mistakes. This early game serves as a learning opportunity, allowing the team to evaluate performance before the regular season starts.
Looking ahead, UVA will participate in two more exhibitions, facing Richmond on October 9 and Villanova on October 22, before officially opening the season against Drexel on November 3. Mallory and Harmon are expected back by then, potentially alleviating some ball-handling issues. However, the Cavaliers must seriously address their rebounding and transition defense to improve before facing tougher competition.