Virginia Rises in AP Top 25 After Winning Streak

Cavaliers continue to climb the rankings as they prepare for key matchups ahead.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Virginia Cavaliers have won four games in a row and continue to be one of the top teams in the ACC. With a favorable schedule the rest of the way, the Cavaliers have a chance to raise their NCAA Tournament profile and potential seeding. Virginia was previously ranked 18th in the AP Poll, but is expected to move up a few spots in the new rankings due to some teams around them winning and losing.

Why it matters

Virginia's rise in the rankings is significant as they look to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the ACC and secure a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers' recent winning streak and favorable schedule give them an opportunity to continue climbing the rankings and improve their tournament resume.

The details

Despite not playing their best basketball during the four-game winning streak, the Cavaliers have still found ways to win. Head coach Ryan Odom praised forward Thijs de Ridder for handling the extra attention he has been receiving, though de Ridder struggled a bit in the team's most recent game. Virginia has a chance to further improve its record this week with games against Florida State and Ohio State.

  • Virginia was previously ranked 18th in the AP Poll.
  • The Cavaliers play Florida State on Tuesday and have a neutral site matchup with Ohio State on Saturday in Nashville.

The players

Thijs de Ridder

A key forward for the Virginia Cavaliers who has been handling increased attention from opponents well, according to head coach Ryan Odom.

Ryan Odom

The head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers, who has praised his team's ability to win despite not playing their best basketball during their recent winning streak.

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What they’re saying

“I think he's handled it really well until today. I thought today he was a little bit disjointed. I thought some of them he should have actually shot the ball and gone ahead and gotten it up on the glass there, and he was passing it out a little bit too early before they came and he was anticipating that they were coming and when they weren't and they were just kind of in there and I think you saw at the end of the game when Dallin didn't make the shot, but he moved and relocated when Devin was in the post and then Chance ended up doing it there late in the game. I think it was a really good move by Chance to relocate and get behind Thijs, where now he had an open shot. So we've just got to continue to go in there to him and get him the ball, and we've got to trust that he's going to make the right play.”

— Ryan Odom, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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