<h1 VE, Wolfpack to Clash in ACC Opener; Odom’s Cavs Aim for Redemption

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After falling short in overtime against Virginia Tech, No. 21 Virginia (11-2, 0-1 ACC) looks to bounce back in the ACC opener on Saturday, Jan. 3, when they visit NC State (10-4, 1-0). Tipoff at PNC Arena is set for 11 a.m. EST on ESPN2 and the Virginia Sports Radio Network.

Last Time Out: Cavaliers’ Comeback Falls Short in Triple OT

• Virginia Tech outscored UVA 40-30 in the three overtime periods to secure an 95-85 win in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash.
• Malik Thomas and Thijs De Ridder scored 26 and 22 points respectively for the Cavaliers, who attempted a school-record 45 3-pointers.

The New Face at the Helm: Ryan Odom

Ryan Odom, UVA’s new head coach, has a proven track record of success. He led UMBC to the historic upset over top-seeded Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament and has won at least 20 games in four of his six seasons as a Division I head coach.

“Our Virginia Standard is to pursue excellence. We play with pace, share the basketball, and our defensive style is to dictate and disrupt.” – Ryan Odom, UVA Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Cavaliers at NC State: A Historical Perspective

• Virginia is 71-87 all-time against NC State, with UVA winning the lone meeting last season, 70-67, in Charlottesville.
• The Wolfpack have a slight edge at home, leading the series 24-40 in Raleigh.
• UVA and NC State have split their last 10 meetings.

Keys to the Game

• 3-Point Shooting: Virginia leads the nation in 3-point attempts per game (27.9) and is shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc.
• Rebounding: The Cavs rank first in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (14.8) and third in total rebounds (42.5 rpg).
• Bench Production: UVA’s bench is averaging 33.4 points per game, leading the ACC.

**Hoos in the Spotlight**

• Jacari White: Leads the ACC in 3-point percentage (50%) and is sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.7).
• Thijs De Ridder: Ranks 12th in scoring (16.5 ppg) and ninth in field goal percentage (53.3%).
• Dallin Hall: Third in assist/turnover ratio (3.0) and 12th in assists (4.2 apg).

**Did you know?**

The last time Virginia started ACC play with a 1-0 record was in the 2019-20 season.

**Looking Ahead**

After facing NC State, the Cavaliers return home to host California on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 9 p.m. on the ACC Network.

**FAQs**

• Q: How many 3-pointers has Virginia attempted this season?
  A: The Cavaliers have attempted 469 3-pointers in 13 games.
• Q: Which coaches have experience at both VCU and an ACC team?
  A: Ryan Odom (VCU to UVA) and Will Wade (VCU to NC State).

**Call to Action**

Join the conversation, Cavaliers fans! Let us know your predictions for Saturday’s ACC showdown in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow UVA basketball enthusiasts!

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