After easing into its sudden new era, Virginia’s first true test has arrived.
The Cavaliers (2-0) will aim to remain undefeated under interim coach Ron Sanchez when they battle Villanova on Friday at the Hall of Fame Series in Baltimore.
Sanchez is still less than a month into his new role. He was entering his second season as Virginia’s associate head coach before being promoted after NCAA championship-winning coach Tony Bennett retired abruptly on Oct. 18.
The Cavaliers have so far held their own since the seismic coaching change. Virginia began Sanchez’s tenure with a 65-56 win over Campbell before cruising past Coppin State 62-45 on Monday.
“Big picture, I would say we’ve been resilient,” San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders said. “We’ve been through a lot in this past month.”
Saunders, who ranks second on the team with an average of 13 points per game, is confident the Cavaliers are prepared for their first battle against a major conference foe.
“Different level of physicality, different level of size,” Saunders said of the Wildcats, a Big East member. “And we have a young group, so it’ll be some guys’ first time seeing that level of talent on the floor, but I’m excited. I think we’re ready for the challenge.”
Like Virginia, Villanova (2-2) knows the sting of suddenly losing an iconic head coach.
The Wildcats endured that strife when Jay Wright departed after the 2021-22 season, ending a 21-year tenure that included two national titles. Third-year coach Kyle Neptune has gone 37-35 since taking over for Wright.
Villanova suffered a stunning 90-80 home loss to Columbia on Nov. 6 and fell 83-76 to Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Fifth-year senior Eric Dixon, who played under Wright during his freshman and sophomore seasons, said this year’s Wildcats have shown grit amid their struggles.
“We had plenty of chances to lay down and fold (on Tuesday), but we came back and we fought, fought, and fought,” Dixon said. “At the end of all of it, it’s all you can ask for, so I really like that about us.”
Dixon leads Villanova in scoring (26.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.3 per game).
After the Wildcats battle the Cavaliers on Friday, Penn State will face Virginia Tech to close out the Baltimore leg of the Hall of Fame Series.
