The celebration is on for the Virginia basketball programs as both the Cavalier men and women’s teams are headed into the NCAA Tournaments. (Virginia Athletics photos; illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)
For the first time in eight years, both the University of Virginia men’s and women’s basketball teams are in their respective NCAA Tournaments.
The brackets were revealed Sunday evening.
The Cavalier men, coming off a run to the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, are the No. 3 seed in the Midwest region and will take on 14th-seeded Wright State University on Friday at 1:50 p.m. in Philadelphia. TBS will broadcast the game.
The Wahoo women are a No. 10 seed and will be facing another No. 10 seed, Arizona State University, on Thursday at 9 p.m. in a First Four game in Iowa City, Iowa. ESPN2 will broadcast the game. Should UVA win, it’ll stay in Iowa and advance to take on the No. 7 seed, the University of Georgia, in a first-round matchup on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Hoos are part of the “Sacramento 4” region.
No men’s basketball coach in UVA history has won more games in his first season than Ryan Odom’s 29.
Odom’s Cavaliers (29-5) have six players averaging at least seven points per game, led by freshman forward Thijs De Ridder, whose 15.5 points per game helped earn him first-team All-ACC honors.
Senior Ugonna Onyenso’s 101 blocked shots are the second-most among NCAA Division I players.
This is UVA’s 27th appearance in the men’s NCAA Tournament, and its 11th in the last 15 seasons. The Cavaliers are seeking their first win in the “Big Dance” since defeating Texas Tech in the 2019 NCAA championship game.
Let’s dance 🪩#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/UzOdhCmTut
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 16, 2026
Television announcer: The 3-seed Friday …
[Loud cheers and applause]
Dallin Hall: Grateful for the opportunity. Hoping to see a lot of UVA fans out at the game.
Jacari White: We got Wright State up in Philly. I’ve never been to Philly. So, I’m excited to see what that’s like.
Owen Odom: I’m pretty excited. Last time I was in Philly was for a field trip in, like, fifth grade. That’s the last time I’ve been, but I’m excited. Wright State’s a good team and it’ll be a good game.
Malik Thomas: Going to Philadelphia. I’ve only been there once, so I’m very excited for this opportunity to just compete in March Madness, the biggest tournament in the world.
Thijs De Ridder: Just excited, man. Just excited for what’s to come for us. Can’t wait to play again.
The Cavalier women are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
The Hoos (19-11), under fourth-year coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton, also have six players averaging at least seven points per game. They are headlined by junior guard Kymora Johnson, a Charlottesville native and three-time All-ACC selection whose 88 3-pointers this season are a program record.
Johnson’s 1,634 career points are tied for 10th-most in program history.
This is the UVA women’s 26th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ticket punched 🎟️🏀#GoHoos 🔸⚔️🔹 #GNSL pic.twitter.com/yvrVFVeb5L
— Virginia Women's Basketball (@UVAWomensHoops) March 16, 2026
University News Senior Associate University Communications
fpa5up@virginia.edu (434) 924-6856
