For the first time in a long time, Virginia is No. 1 in the AP poll

The Virginia Cavaliers are on top of the college basketball world right now. And it’s been a long time since they were here last.

In 1981, Ralph Sampson won the first of three consecutive Naismith Basketball Player of the Year awards. Thirty-six years later, the Virginia Basketball team is No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since Sampson dominated the ACC. Virginia (23-2) received 30 first place votes while Michigan State (24-3) received 21 votes to finally claim the number one spot.

What does this mean for Tony Bennet’s program? Well, they are No. 1 despite losing several key contributors over the past few seasons, including their fearless leader Malcolm Brogdon. This is a talented team but not nearly as talented Bennet’s past teams. As usual, however, the Virginia Pack Line Defense is as good as ever. Everyone jumps to the ball, the close-outs are superb, and they are Tony Bennet’s most physical team during his tenure at Virginia. The Pack Line D is a man-to-man defense that emphasizes clogging the paint, trapping the low post, and making sound rotations for deflections and steals. This formula has worked wonders for Bennet and Virginia. Despite the lack of scoring, the Cavaliers always contend in every game no matter the opponent.

Can Tony Bennet get key and role players to handle the pressure of being on top? Lights-out shooter and breakout sophomore star Kyle Guy shoots like Jimmy Chitwood. Junior center Jack Salt is a big, strong, mean rim protector with an improved low post game. The New Zealand native has provided the salt to Guy’s pepper. Will returning players Devon Hall and Isaiah Wilkins  be the perfect seasonings to make Bennet’s salad bowl just the right taste for success in March?

Virginia will win the regular season ACC Championship but what if North Carolina and Duke start playing to their full potential?

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In fact, the Cavaliers have a dreaded trip to a good Miami Hurricanes team Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Hurricanes have the athletes, depth, and experience to shut down the the Cavaliers? What will give? Ultimately, coming off a loss and the long commute are the primary reasons Miami could upset the new number one team in the country.

Get your popcorn ready!