Virginia begins new Ron Sanchez era versus Campbell

Virginia opens a surprising new chapter on Wednesday when interim coach Ron Sanchez leads the Cavaliers against visiting Campbell in the season opener in Charlottesville, Va.

Sanchez took over when Tony Bennett unexpectedly retired on Oct. 18. Between stints as an assistant coach (2009-18) and associate head coach (2023-24) at Virginia, Sanchez was the head coach at Charlotte for five seasons.

Sanchez posted a 72-78 record with the 49ers, leading them to a 22-14 record and a College Basketball Invitational championship in 2022-23 before returning to Bennett's staff.

He inherits a program that went 364-136, won six Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season titles and reached the NCAA Tournament 10 times under Bennett, winning a national title in 2019.

Sanchez said not to expect dramatic style changes for Virginia, picked fifth in the ACC preseason poll. That includes the signature Pack Line defense.

"The players want the Virginia way, and that is something that is cemented into this space," he said. "Our leadership has changed; the institution has not."

There are plenty of changes to the roster, however, with six newcomers and just four returning scholarship players: leading returning scorer Isaac McKneely (12.3 points per game), big man Blake Buchanan and guards Andrew Rohde and Taine Murray.

Campbell is coming off a 14-18 season and was picked 13th in the 14-team Coastal Athletic Association's preseason poll.

The Camels are entering their 12th season under coach Kevin McGeehan. Their top returning scorer is guard Jasin Sinani (10.4 ppg) and the transfers include Terren Frank (Idaho) and Cam Gregory (St. Francis). They also will play at Ohio State on Nov. 22 and at North Carolina on Dec. 29.

"This team will be forced to face some tough challenges in the non-conference slate and we believe that will help strengthen us to compete at a high level in CAA play," McGeehan said.

--Field Level Media