Basketball season is finally here, which means the time to pack John Paul Jones Arena is upon us. Men’s basketball is arguably the most exciting sport to watch in-person at the University, as during every home game, JPJ erupts with ear-shattering cheers and the roaring blares of the in-stand band. There are over a dozen home games, several of which have exciting themes. Going to men’s basketball games is one of the best parts of the University experience — but seating is limited. Here’s what folks need to know about the experience and Interim Coach Ron Sanchez’s squad.
Guide to John Paul Jones Arena
In order to get a coveted student ticket, it is essential to have accrued enough Sabre Rewards — which can be earned by attending other Cavalier sporting events. Upperclassmen who are familiar with the quest to acquire a bevy of Sabre Rewards should have solid odds to get a ticket, but those who are new to the University will have to attend plenty of other sporting events to earn enough points for a chance to snag a seat.
The events that provide the most Sabre Rewards this semester can be found on the Virginia Athletics website. These games provide five points instead of the usual one point per event. If someone were to attend most of those games, they would have a good chance of securing a men’s basketball ticket — even if they are a first-year student.
Once a ticket is secured, it is important to note the entry group. There are eight groups of tickets. Group one enters first and is allowed to enter JPJ 90 minutes before tipoff. Even so, many students will camp out by the student gate — located on Massie Road, just left of Emmet Street — hours beforehand. There is no specific entry order in each group, so it is important to arrive early, but it is not possible to enter the building earlier than your designated group number. It is also important to note that student entry requires both the mobile phone ticket and a student ID. Once inside, there are multiple areas for student seating — Sections 101-105, 116-119 and 301-302.
At JPJ, there are two in-game situations that are especially exciting. First, the shot clock violation — over the past few years, each time the Cavaliers have forced a shot clock violation by the opposing team, the University has donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge — and fans cheer, loudly. The second is when an opponent misses back-to-back free throws in the second half, all fans in attendance receive a coupon for free bacon courtesy of Smithfield Foods.
Overall, men’s basketball games are the pinnacle of school spirit at the University and are an incredibly fun experience — regardless of whether or not someone is a hardcore basketball fan.
Guide to the 2024-25 Cavaliers
This season marks the first year of a very different era for Virginia. The monumental change, of course, is the departure of former Coach Tony Bennett — and Sanchez taking charge for the 2024-25 campaign. In addition, the team itself will be very different than in years past.
At the Pepsi Blue-White Scrimmage, it became evident that this year’s Cavaliers will feature a faster offense plus some new faces. Program legend Reece Beekman is off to the NBA, as is former starting forward Ryan Dunn. There is hope though, as this coaching staff drew from the transfer portal to construct this promising new-look roster.
First off, the Cavaliers acquired some strong shooters — which they sorely needed after a mediocre 2023-24 season on the offensive end. Virginia is expected to continue playing strong defense under Sanchez, but team offense has been a major question mark over the past few seasons.
One key contributor has seldom been a part of that issue though — star junior guard Isaac McKneely. McKneely has been with the Cavaliers longer than any other scholarship player on this roster — save for senior guard Taine Murray, who should contribute off the bench.
Also of note, the race to receive the lion’s share of playing time at point guard and shooting guard likely comes down to redshirt freshman guard Christian Bliss and sophomore guard Dai Dai Ames. Regardless of which guard starts, expect both to receive ample playing time. There is even a chance that both will start, should Sanchez opt for a smaller lineup.
Next to McKneely, junior forward Elijah Saunders could start. Saunders has impressed with outstanding defense and reliable shooting in his short time with the program thus far — plus he made 96 percent of his free throws last season. Sophomore forward Blake Buchanan will also factor in, in his usual spot at center. Buchanan received significant playing time in his freshman campaign and showed promise, having played in 34 games as a freshman while recording an 18-point surge at Florida.
Sophomore forward TJ Power should also be a significant contributor, and could even start at power forward if Saunders is the small forward. The talented freshmen duo of guard Ishan Sharma and forward Jacob Cofie could make an impact as well.
In the first year of the post-Bennett era, these Cavaliers will receive ample opportunities to prove their mettle against elite competition. With the future of the program at stake, Sanchez and company will have to produce results in order to mitigate the long-term damage of Bennett’s retirement. Undoubtedly, this season will be a must-watch endeavor. Break out the popcorn and prepare for a monumentally important season of Virginia men’s basketball.
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