No. 16 Cavaliers Face SMU Road Challenge Next
No. 16 Virginia is set to face a significant road challenge against SMU on Saturday, January 17. This matchup will take place at Moody Coliseum, beginning at noon ET. The game is part of the ACC schedule and can be viewed on ESPN2 and the Virginia Sports Radio Network.
Cavaliers’ Current Performance
Virginia enters this game with a record of 15 wins and 2 losses, including a 4-1 ACC standing. The Cavaliers are on a four-game winning streak and have performed well away from home, boasting a 5-2 record in road games.
Recent Scoring Stats
- Virginia has scored 80 or more points in 13 games this season.
- The team is averaging 84.7 points per game, the highest since the 2000-01 season.
- The Cavaliers rank 14th in the kenpom.com and NET rankings.
Broadcast Details
Fans can watch the Virginia-SMU game on ESPN2. Additionally, it will be streamed on ESPN.com and available on VirginiaSports.com and the Virginia Sports app.
Virginia’s New Leadership
Head Coach Ryan Odom, appointed on March 22, is leading the Cavaliers. Odom previously achieved success at VCU, where he posted a 52-21 record over two seasons and guided the Rams to a 2025 NCAA Tournament berth.
Coaching Record
- Odom holds a 224-127 record over 12 seasons as a head coach.
- He has led teams to the NCAA Tournament during their second season at three different schools, including Utah State and UMBC.
Head-to-Head with SMU
The Cavaliers have a challenging history against SMU, with a 1-2 overall record in this matchup. The series began in 2013, and last season, SMU claimed both victories.
Last Encounter
In their latest matchup on January 15, 2025, SMU defeated Virginia 54-52, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Boopie Miller. Despite a strong performance from Virginia’s Blake Buchanan, who recorded a double-double, the Cavaliers struggled with their shooting from beyond the arc.
Recent Game Highlights
Virginia recently secured a 79-70 victory against No. 20 Louisville on January 13. Malik Thomas led the team with 19 points and a career-high six three-pointers, while Johann Grünloh added 16 points and seven rebounds.
Upcoming Challenges
Following the game against SMU, Virginia will host No. 14 North Carolina on January 24. This clash is expected to be another critical contest for the Cavaliers in their pursuit of success in the ACC.
