When No. 9 Virginia trekked down the freeway to Charleston, S.C. and played an outdoor exhibition game against No. 24 Vanderbilt, Coach Ryan Odom had a few surprises and tests in mind.
Playing a college basketball game outdoors is extremely unorthodox. However, it is a valuable experiment to see how players respond to inconsistent light and shadows, breeze and other strange factors. Playing against a ranked SEC team is even more valuable.
Odom also had something in mind — perspective.
Odom as teacher
The operator of Credit One Stadium is Ben Navarro, the father of Virginia tennis legend Emma Navarro. She won a national championship during her time in Charlottesville. Odom would like to do the same…