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Five bold predictions for the 2024-2025 UVA women’s basketball season

Sakege November 4, 2024

The 2024-2025 college basketball season is here. With the third year of the Coach Mox era about to begin, let’s make some bold predictions for the 2024-2025 Virginia women’s basketball season:

The non-conference schedule begins Monday with American, followed by a tough road game against #10 Oklahoma, picked fourth in the SEC. This will be a big early test for the Wahoos. While I’m not predicting 13-0, the schedule looks favorable after Oklahoma, with a number of games in which the Hoos should be heavy favorites. Washington State and Auburn are winnable games and the ACC opener against Boston College is also manageable. As an attendee of Wofford’s loss last year, I know not to take any of these games for granted, but there is a strong chance that Coach Mox’s team will get off to a good start and put together a massive clash before the New Year against the No. 6 Fighting Irish.

Wahoo fans know that the Mo Show is the real deal in Charlottesville. After a stellar freshman season, Johnson is ready to take another leap. Although she ranked 10th in preseason ACC Player of the Year voting, I expect her to finish in the top five. With a year under Coach Mox and stronger chemistry with teammates like Paris Clark and Olivia McGhee, Johnson is ready to become a national star. I’m going to be bold and predict 20 points and seven assists per game this year.

While Kymora may be the MVP, I think a newcomer will play a crucial role this season. With Cam Taylor, Sam Brunelle and London Clarkson out, UVA’s already small team is in dire need of a physical presence. Lattimore will provide that and more. Standing at an athletic 6’4, Lattimore will thrive in UVA’s fast-paced offense, taking advantage of fast break opportunities as we saw in the blue-white practice. To take the next step, this team will need to dominate in the paint and I predict Lattimore will do just that. Keep an eye on Lattimore if he gets an open path to the rim, as Coach Mox has been talking about his ability to dunk.

This prediction will depend on the incredible UVA women’s basketball fans. The Hoos ranked fifth last year in attendance, which is pretty impressive for a 16-16 team. The all-time record for season ticket sales has already been broken, and the Cavaliers appear to be on track to average 6,000 fans or more this year. This team is incredibly fun to watch and JPJ should be packed for these women. Feeling down about UVA sports? Look no further than this kit as there is plenty of room in the Coach Mox train. Surely the Wahoos can pass that other school in Blacksburg this year.

If making the NCAA Tournament seems bold, here’s an even bigger decision: In year three under Coach Mox, I predict UVA will enter as a 9 or 10 seed, exceed ACC expectations and make a surprise in the first round. This team is a squad you don’t want to see in March. With four qualifying wins last year, including an instant classic against Virginia Tech, this team can compete with anyone. The key will be to avoid the painful losses that have plagued this team the last two years. I’m hoping for a lot more consistency this season and can’t wait to see this team in action on Monday.

Virginia women’s basketball will open the season against American on Monday, November 4 at 7 pm at John Paul Jones Arena and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

Projection of the starting five and rotations of UVA women’s basketball

UVA women’s basketball picked to finish ninth in ACC, Johnson Preseason All-ACC

What we learned from Virginia women’s basketball’s blue-white skirmish

VIDEO/Transcript: Coach Mox, UVA Women’s Basketball Players at ACC Tipoff

VIDEO: Highlights from the UVA blue-white women’s basketball game