No. 9 Virginia opens season with 89-60 win over Drexel
The gist
No. 9 Virginia beat Drexel 89-60 in its opener, forcing 15 turnovers and setting a JPJ record with 18 steals.
The Cavaliers kept nearly their whole rotation and now face a top-15 test against Arkansas.
How it unfolded
- Oct 7, 2026Virginia beat Richmond in an exhibition at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, using a 26-0 run over eight minutes to lead 43-28 at halftime after a sluggish start.
- Nov 2, 2026Season previews and predictions were published, noting Virginia retained every eligible rotation player from last year.
- Nov 3, 2026Virginia opened its season with an 89-60 win over Drexel in Charlottesville, scoring 51 in the first half, forcing 15 turnovers and recording 18 steals, a JPJ record.
Key terms
- ACC
- A U.S. collegiate athletic conference with eighteen member universities competing in NCAA Division I sports.
- NCAA Tournament
- Describes a college basketball team suited to the single-elimination NCAA tournament played mostly in March.
- sixth-man
- A team's best substitute player who comes off the bench rather than starting.
Source: Wikipedia