The Virginia Cavaliers picked up their best result of the 2024-25 season so far on Monday night on the road against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The ‘Hoos boat-raced Pitt 73-57 while shooting 45.5% from deep and holding the 24th best offense in the country to just .983 points per possession.

UVA is now up to 11-12 (4-8 in the ACC). With the feel-good win, we have five takeaways for the Cavaliers.

Dai Dai Ames just played the game of his life

Dai Dai Ames tied his career-high for points before the halftime buzzer even sounded on Monday night. After scoring 16 through the first 20 minutes, he put up 11 more in the second period. The Kansas State transfer scored from all three levels, hitting 3-of-6 three-pointers, touching the paint and finishing at the rim, and hitting a couple pretty jumpers from the midrange.

Ames has had an up and down first season in Charlottesville. He’s struggled defensively at times and hasn’t been the most consistent scorer. But he was absolutely on one in Pittsburgh as he torched the Panthers defense all night long.

If Virginia can get Ames to be a reliable scorer alongside Andrew Rohde and Isaac McKneely in the backcourt, that would be a valuable addition to the UVA offense.

Switching everything pays off for Virginia on defense

An underrated component of this game was the coaching staff’s adjustment to switch nearly every Pitt pick and roll. The strategy meant Ames was occasionally exposed down low and that Anthony Robinson and Blake Buchanan were beat off the dribble a few times.

But switching the screens forced Pitt to win individual matchups and limited the Panthers’ open shots from deep. Pitt only assisted five of their 18 baskets and only knocked down six-of-20 deep balls.

While this Wahoo defense doesn’t have elite solo defenders, they made it work. Blake Buchanan, Anthony Robinson, and Jacob Cofie have the quickness and mobility to defend guards then the backcourt has bigger bodies like Andrew Rohde, Isaac McKneely, and Taine Murray. Whether UVA continues to switch ball screens will be fascinating considering that it’s out of character for the Packline defense.

Anthony Robinson and Blake Buchanan are on the rise

Speaking of Robinson and Buchanan, the two young bigs have come on of late especially in Elijah Saunders’ absence due to injury. Buchanan notched a double double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals versus Pitt. Robinson put up nine points and six rebounds.

Those two have produced as finishers offensively and manned the hatches defensively. Pitt only grabbed four offensive rebounds and just five second chance points on Monday. Only 18 of the Panthers’ points came in the paint.

That’s a major feather in the cap for a Wahoo frontcourt that currently consists of a sophomore, a redshirt freshman, and a true freshman.

Andrew Rohde has been on a tear in 2025

In his last 11 games, Andrew Rohde is averaging 9.2 points, 5.2 assists, and just 0.7 turnovers per game. That’s a stunning 7.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. After averaging 2.9 turnovers per game for his first 10 games of the season, this has been a major improvement for the junior guard.

McKneely is the best team’s best player, but Rohde is the on-court leader. He’s the conductor on either end of the court. The year-to-year improvement has been especially impressive after Rohde was a black hole for Virginia last season.

Whether it’s in Charlottesville or elsewhere, Rohde has earned himself an opportunity for his senior season as a quality ACC-caliber guard.

UVA should wear the orange uniforms at every opportunity

Look, even with this win, this group is limited given how it’s performed up until now. Maybe they make it to the ACC Tournament, maybe they win a few games there, maybe they scratch their way to an NIT or a CBI appearance. The athletic department will be conducting a coaching search within the next few months, that’s just where we’re at unfortunately.

So, why not have some fun down the stretch? This was only the second time that the Cavaliers have worn their orange uniforms, and they surely enjoyed wearing ‘em. They should sport this look more, especially at home. Who knows, maybe orange is a good luck charm…