Four headlines from Ryan Odom’s sit-down with Jon Rothstein

After winning 30 games in year one of the Ryan Odom era, returning every eligible player from last season’s roster, and making several key additions to fill areas of need, the national media is finally beginning to take notice of the Virginia Cavaliers.

As the hype for UVA’s 2026-27 potential builds, Odom sat down with CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein for a 20-minute interview on Thursday, supplying UVA fans with a few sound bites to chew on as we inch closer to the return of college basketball in November.

Here are four headlines from Odom’s appearance on Inside College Basketball Now:

Year one of the Odom era was an overwhelming success. The ‘Hoos finished 15-3 in the ACC and earned a win in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since cutting down the nets in 2019. Still, the Cavaliers felt they left something on the table in 2025-26 after coming up just short against Duke in the ACC Tournament title game and against Tennessee in the Big Dance.

“Our locker room at the end of the season was about as dejected a locker room as I’ve experienced,” Odom said. But at the same time, a very grateful locker room for the time that we were able to spend together. What those guys — that collection of players and coaches — were able to accomplish during that season was really special.”

With a reloaded roster on deck, Virginia is ready to turn the page. And the returning ‘Hoos — Virginia brought back over 50% of its scoring from last season — are using their postseason heartbreaks as fuel moving forward.

“We know it’s going to be harder this year; there’s no question about it. But every year takes a life of its own. Each group has a chance to do something special, and this particular team that’s going to wear a Virginia uniform this year, they’re eager to get it done. They’re motivated by how it ended, not only in the Tennessee game, but also in the [ACC] championship game.”

An impact freshman last season, it’s no surprise that Odom is expecting big things from Chance Mallory in year two. The Charlottesville native averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while coming off the bench in his first season of collegiate action.

Now, the St. Anne’s-Belfield product will be asked to carry a bigger load as the starting point guard and a key catalyst on both sides of the court.

“[Mallory] can take a huge jump,” Odom said. “Chance was a special freshman. A lot of times he probably got overlooked nationally based on the depth of that freshman class last year … I think the biggest thing he’s tried to do this year is be very disciplined with his body and make sure he’s lifting, taking care of his body, because he knows it’s going to be a hard year overall, physically for him, and mentally. But this is what he’s wanted his whole life. He’s wanted to be in this moment. And I’m really excited that he’s taking advantage of it with the way that he’s operating every day.”

Odom eased the ‘Hoos into year one of his tenure with the nation’s 269th-ranked non-conference strength of schedule (via KenPom). With a season in Charlottesville under his belt, however, Odom is ready to throw Virginia into the deep end early in 2026-27.

The ‘Hoos already have non-conference showdowns scheduled against UConn (in December at Madison Square Garden), Kentucky (at home as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge), and Arkansas (in Washington, D.C., sometime in November). But Odom says Virginia could be adding even more to its non-conference gauntlet.

“We’re still trying to schedule one more (non-conference game),” Odom said. “It’s not completely finished yet, but it would be with another P4 if it works out. It’s not really in our hands now, but we’re waiting to see if we can get that over the finish line.”

With one of the best rosters in the sport on paper, the ‘Hoos are up for some early challenges and, hopefully, ready to prove themselves to a national audience.

“[Big non-conference games] excite our guys; they excite our fanbase,” Odom said. “When you coach at a place like Virginia or play at a place like Virginia, you want to play in big games, and you want to be a part of the mix nationally. Certainly, last year’s team did their part in helping us reestablish the brand nationally and put us in a much better position to where these kinds of games can happen.”

As Rothstein reported earlier this week, VCU has mandated in the past that its former coaches schedule a return game against the Rams after leaving for new jobs. Odom, however, shut down the notion that the ‘Hoos are required to take a trip to Richmond.

“No, it’s not a part of the contract, so at this point we’re not required to go back to play [VCU],” Odom said. Would we play them eventually? I’m sure we would. They have a great program; there’s no question about it. To see them succeed last year was really gratifying for all of us over here who care so much about VCU, but in terms of having something next season, that’s not in the cards.”