Virginia Prepares for a Fresh Start
The 2024‑25 Virginia Cavaliers, under longtime coach Tony Bennett, failed to meet expectations and saw the majority of their roster enter the transfer portal. The early exit from the postseason left the program searching for answers, but it also opened the door for a wave of new talent and a chance to reset the culture.
Among those who moved, several have already begun to make an impact at their new schools. Blake Buchanan, who averaged 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds at Iowa State, brings a versatile inside presence, while Elijah Saunders has stretched the floor with a 41.1 % three‑point clip at Maryland. Andrew Rohde’s endurance at Wisconsin and Jacob Cofie’s shot‑blocking at USC illustrate the varied ways the former Cavaliers are carving out roles.
The departures have not been without loss. Isaac McKneely’s relentless minutes‑played record, Christian Bliss’s fresh‑man accolades and Dai Dai Ames’s 31‑point outburst for California all signal that the talent exodus was not merely a numbers game. Ishan Sharma’s bench heroics at Saint Louis and TJ Power’s Ivy League tournament MVP performance add further depth to the narrative of players seeking new stages.
Back in Charlottesville, the coaching staff is already at work assembling a new core. With a refreshed roster and a clear vision, the Cavaliers are poised to carry forward the momentum generated by their recent transfers and to approach the 2026‑27 season with renewed energy.