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Virginia Cavaliers Are Most Dangerous Team in ACC

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By @TSturmRS

UVA Basketball Coach

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Last season didn’t start out as planned for Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers. Expected to be one of the top defenses in the country, the team lost every meaningful non-conference game, including a horrible 35-point blowout loss at home against the Tennessee Volunteers that could have easily been 50.

After that loss, however, UVA went on a 19-2 run to finish the season that included a huge win over the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Championship game. Unfortunately, they were unable to continue that streak in the 2014 NCAA tournament, losing to Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

This season, things are looking even more promising for the Cavaliers. Ranked No. 9 in the country in the AP Poll to start the season, Virginia will face the No. 15 VCU Rams, No. 25 Harvard Crimson and the George Washington Colonials in non-conference play. UVA could easily go into conference play undefeated as Virginia should be favored over all three of these teams.

The ACC is noticeably more difficult than it was last season. Along with the addition of the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals, No. 4 Duke, No. 6 North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame and No. 23 Syracuse have all improved.

The Cavaliers no longer have Joe Harris and his barrage of 3-pointers or Akil Mitchell and his rebounding, but Bennett’s defense-focused type of basketball should have an enormous amount of success in the conference. If Malcolm Brogdon can step up his scoring when this team is struggling, there is no doubt that the Cavaliers will be a much more well-rounded team this season than the previous one.

Virginia, although ranked at No. 9, is clearly one of the best programs in the country. Due to experience, coaching style and depth, the Cavaliers are far more likely to be 2015 NCAA tournament winner than higher-ranked ACC rivals Duke, Louisville and North Carolina. Where those three teams have weaknesses, Bennett’s team returns consistency.

Keep an eye on the Cavaliers because they could jump out as one of the top teams in the country very early on this season. Defense wins championships, and Virginia could be the best defensive squad in all of college basketball.

Taylor Sturm is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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