Cavaliers, Wildcats to play in exhibition

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CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Virginia basketball to host Villanova in exhibition contest.

Less than two weeks before Virginia plays its regular-season opener, fans of the Cavaliers can get a glimpse of the new-look Cavaliers under first-year coach Ryan Odom.

On Thursday, UVa announced it'll host Villanova in an exhibition bout on Oct. 24 at John Paul Jones Arena.

Tip time for the contest between the Cavaliers and the Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are free for UVa season-ticket holders. General admission tickets are $25.

The two sides met last November in a game the Cavaliers took, 70-60, in Baltimore.

But both programs have changed drastically since then.

UVa hired Odom away from VCU in March to replace former interim coach Ron Sanchez, who took over last October after ex-longtime coach Tony Bennett retired. Villa-nova hired former Maryland coach Kevin Willard following the firing of Kyle Neptune after he failed to build on former longtime coach Jay Wright's success.

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Bennett led UVa to a national title 2019 and Wright led Villanova to championships in 2016 and 2018.

New coaches in Odom and Willard, though, mean remade rosters for both the Cavaliers and the Wildcats, respectively.

Odom landed notable transfers in guards Malik Thomas (San Francisco) and Jacari White (North Dakota State) as well as forward Devin Tillis (UC Irvine). Odom brought in international standouts in center Johann Grünloh of Germany and forward Thijs De Ridder of Belgium, too.

Three transfers followed Willard from Maryland to Villanova, and he landed talented James Madison transfer guard Bryce Lindsay as well.

This matchup is UVa's first-ever exhibition against a Division I opponent.

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