Scouting No. 1 seed Virginia, UMBC's first-round opponent in NCAA men's basketball tournament

Virginia at a glance

Record: 31-2, 17-1 Atlantic Coast Conference

Coach: Tony Bennett (ninth season, 219-85)

Team leaders: Points: Kyle Guy (14.1 per game)

Rebounds: Isaiah Wilkins (6.3 per game)

Assists: Ty Jerome (3.9 per game)

How they got here: After not being ranked to start the season, the Cavaliers cruised through the ACC, winning the regular-season and conference tournament championships to become the unanimous No. 1 ranked team in the country and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Their only loss in conference play came in overtime, 61-60, to rival Virginia Tech. Virginia defeated No. 9 seed Louisville, No. 4 seed Clemson and No. 6 seed North Carolina to capture the ACC tournament crown, ending a streak of seven consecutive conference tournament losses to the Tar Heels. With no one-and-dones and no lock NBA lottery picks, the Cavaliers rode their slow-paced, precise offense and suffocating defense to a school record for victories.

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Kristina Miller, assistant athletic trainer at UMBC, hugs guard K.J. Maura during a send- off of the men's basketball team Tuesday, March 13. The team was headed to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in advance of its first-round NCAA tournament game against No. 1 seed Virginia on Friday night. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun)