Virginia Cavaliers

The Virginia Cavaliers are the ACC's model of disciplined, defense-first basketball, playing in front of passionate crowds at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. Built on Tony Bennett's Pack-Line defense, Virginia became one of the toughest outs in the country for over a decade, grinding opponents down possession by possession. The program's identity is patience and precision, a style that eventually delivered the program's first national championship.

Virginia won its first NCAA men's basketball championship in 2019, capping a redemption arc just one year after becoming the first 1-seed ever to lose to a 16-seed in the 2018 tournament. Under head coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers became one of the nation's most consistent programs, regularly ranked among the country's stingiest defenses. The 2019 title, secured with an overtime win over Texas Tech, remains the signature moment in Virginia basketball history.