Both teams being relevant and competitive again is what it should be - both for the rivalry and the ACC. Advalas is a great pickup and am very surprised that VT was able to pull it off. Frankly shocked no other P5 school came knocking. Finders keepers I suppose. I see techs ceiling as a T25 team. Realistically it is a bubble team at this point. Can’t really say much more until pieces meld (same for uva, what is on paper will always change…. Mr. TJ Power). Think the biggest issue tech will face is actually implementing MYs system and defense overall and As good Advalas is, think tech faces two issues in post depth and lack of a true dominant scorer. The season will really depend on the development of Tyler Johnson. He has to be on the floor as he is clearly the best defender but in order for tech to get to that T25 range, he can’t just stand on the perimeter, he needs to be a scoring force to alleviate pressure off Advalas/Schutt. Post depth is another concern, Lawal/Hansberry will have to stay out of foul trouble, I don’t see Dorn being much, and having Johnson play the 4 isn’t optimal for wing defense (Advalas/Schutt will get torched). Ironically, I think the way uva has been constructed is exactly what will trouble tech, speed and athleticism that attacks. Odom was quoted in a recent interview that he intends to play up tempo VCU Havoc style, which he has the built the roster for. For uva, it is a top 25 team, especially once Thijs de Ridder clears (all acc caliber 22 year old forward from the Spanish league), the team, on paper, checks all the boxes. The primary concerns are lack of a dominant defense wing and potentially lack of offense creation - Odom likes guards being guards and scoring off creation but what I like about tech is the ability to run a set and get a shot - worried Virginia won’t have that ability. But man, the combo of Jacari White, Malik Thomas and Thijs de Ridder is going to be incredible to see from what Bennett was doing. Add in maybe one of the best “value” adds in Dallin Hall (a true complete PG who plays a lot like TJ McConnell for the Pacers) and Grunloh, it’s UVAs best starting 5 since the 2019 team. In all, lots to be excited about for both. Frankly should be the two best teams respectively since 2019.