Coach Ryan Odom relying on experience as 4 returning players power No. 6 Virginia to 5-0 start

College Park, Md. (AP) — Virginia coach Ryan Odom relied on the experience of four returning players as the No. 6 Cavaliers secured a 5-0 start with a 87-83 win over Maryland on Friday night. The returning stars—Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory and Johann Grunloh—planted themselves in heavy minutes and overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to secure the victory.

Odom praised the veterans, stating that their battle-tested history gave them an edge in the game. Grunloh, who played alongside departed 7-footer Ugonna Onyenso last season, logged 37 minutes of action, while Mallory, a sophomore point guard, played 35 minutes. Odom highlighted the difference in the team's approach compared to last season, when a nine-man rotation saw even playing time among transfers and freshmen.

This season, the Cavaliers' starters are enjoying more court time, a change that Odom attributes to the experience of his returning core. Lewis, who scored 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting, silenced a vocal Maryland crowd with his performance in the second half. De Ridder and Grunloh, both sophomores, brought valuable professional experience from Europe, while Nolan Adekunle, a 24-year-old German former pro, made his debut at the starting lineup.

Odom expressed confidence in his returning players, stating that they are in good hands and that the coaching staff will continue to develop the bench.