Three Reasons UVA Will Outperform Its No. 9 Ranking in the Preseason AP Poll

Virginia starts the 2026-27 season ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP Poll, and the Cavaliers’ path could plausibly lift them beyond that spot early. Their third game is a marquee matchup at Washington, D.C., against No. 12 Arkansas; a win would boost their national standing. After that, Virginia faces high-major tests including Maryland, Marquette and Xavier, plus meetings with No. 4 UConn and No. 23 Kentucky before ACC play settles in. The argument also rests on roster depth: Thijs De Ridder, Chance Mallory, Sam Lewis and Johann Grunloh were highlighted as a strong four-player core. Still, analyst Jon Rothstein has Virginia at No. 7, citing comparison concerns with Tennessee and Texas.