“The main change has been a little bit more pace and a little bit more space,” said veteran guard Taine Murray.
When the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team opens its season against Campbell on Wednesday, we’ll get our first real look at the updated offense that the ‘Hoos will be running with in 2024-25. Players and coaches have been teasing an adjusted offense throughout the offseason after UVA mightily struggled to score at times last year.
On Monday, interim head coach Ron Sanchez and a collection of players addressed the offensive shift that Virginia is making to try to (literally) keep pace. “It’s not a new system,” Sanchez said. “We’re just trying to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, getting the five-man to run hard to the rim in transition…”
He added that getting the ball up the floor faster is a point of emphasis in order to save time for settled offense and to potentially catch the opposing defense in an unsettled situation.
Senior Taine Murray – who is the longest tenured Virginia player – acknowledged those changes. “I think it’s stayed the same in terms of trying to get the right shots that we want,” he said. “I think the main change has been a little bit more pace and a little bit more space.”
Redshirt freshman point guard Christian Bliss discussed how the increased pace and space allow for players to make plays. “I think we definitely play more free,” he said. “[We’re] just trying to think less and play off our instincts and look for the best possible shot…”
Fortunately, UVA committed to updating its offense before Bennett’s decision, so the team has spent months working towards the revamped offense we’ll see next Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.
How effective UVA’s attack is at pushing the ball up the floor and spacing it in the process will go a long way towards determining Sanchez’s and the program’s future.
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