Virginia Basketball: 5 Things on Cavaliers' Holiday Wish List

Things couldn't be any better for the Virginia Cavaliers basketball team. The Hoos currently sit at 9-0 and are ranked No. 6 in the country. 

What could a team that has won eight of nine games by at least 11 or more points and had only one game decided by single digits—an eight-point win over LaSalle where UVA led by 20—possibly want or need?

While the Cavaliers are perfect at the moment, there are things head coach Tony Bennett would like to see on his proverbial wish list this holiday season.

Here are five wishes Bennett and Virginia fans would like to see granted this holiday season.

Darion Atkins' Health

Associated Press

Darion Atkins after injuring his back at Maryland

Senior forward Darion Atkins injured his back against Maryland last week in the ACC/Big Ten challenge and missed UVA's win over VCU. Fortunately for Bennett, the Hoos didn't really miss Atkins in their 17-point victory over the Rams.

But for Virginia to repeat last season's success, it will need Atkins healthy for the ACC season, which begins on January 3.

Atkins, who has started six games this season, is averaging six points and six rebounds for the Cavaliers. Most importantly, Atkins is UVA's best inside defender and shot-blocker. Going against the likes of Jahlil Okafor and Montrezl Harrell, Virginia will need Atkins. 

The Hoos have 12 days between games. They're set to host Cleveland State on December 18. That should provide plenty of rest for Atkins.

Get London Perrantes on Track

John Minchillo/Associated Press

London Perrantes

To say sophomore point guard London Perrantes has struggled would be a bit of an exaggeration. However, he has gotten off to a slow start.

Was it the preseason foot injury?

Not likely. Perrantes, from a health perspective, looks fine. He struggled a bit in the win over LaSalle, finishing with four turnovers—an uncharacteristically high number for Perrantes—and four fouls. He's also scored just 27 total points on the season.

But after turning the ball over two times early in the first half against VCU's relentless pressure, Perrantes seemed to "settle down"—in Bennett's words—as the game progressed, per Whitey Reid of The Daily Progress.

"We all talk about, ‘Well, we want London to be more aggressive and shoot more,’” Bennett said. “London has a good feel for [deciding when to shoot], and I never want to take him out of his game. Just nudge him a little to look for things. I thought he had a good feel."

Perrantes scored six points to go along with a season-high nine assists in the win at VCU. 

Virginia hopes its a sign of things to come with the ACC season ever so close. 

A Real Challenge

Steve Helber/Associated Press

Virginia in the win at VCU

What's the old adage, be careful what you wish for? Well, Virginia was supposed to be challenged last week with road games at Maryland and VCU.

It didn't happen.

The Hoos won both games by 11 and 17 points, respectively.

Who's next on the docket? Three straight home dates with Cleveland State, Harvard and Davidson.

None of those teams, with maybe the exception of Harvard, figures to mount much of a challenge against the Hoos. Virginia does, however, need to be challenged before ACC play begins in full. 

In late January and early February, the Hoos have three straight ACC games against North Carolina, Duke and Louisville. It doesn't get much tougher than that.

Good Luck

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Justin Anderson

Every team needs some good luck. And generally, avoiding injuries is a sign of good fortune. Yes, the Hoos lost Atkins in the Maryland game, but he's progressing and shouldn't be out too long, per Reid.

Virginia dodged a bullet in the Maryland game when leading scorer Justin Anderson went down with a sprained ankle. Fortunately for the Hoos, Anderson came back and played against VCU and was his typical self, scoring 21 points and pulling down eight rebounds.

UVA has depth, but an injury to one of the team's top players could be devastating. 

Better Three-Point Shooting Sans Justin Anderson

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Malcolm Brogdon

Anderson has shot 20-of-34 from beyond the arc this season. That's 59 percent. Anderson shot just 29 percent from the three-point line last season.

Unfortunately for Virginia, All-ACC guard Malcolm Brogdon has yet to heat up. Brogdon is shooting just 30 percent from downtown after shooting at a 37 percent clip last season.

As a team, UVA is shooting 37 percent from three-point land. If you subtract Anderson, the team has made just 25 of 87 shots from beyond the arc. That's just under 29 percent.

When the schedule toughens, teams will try to take away Anderson. That means players like Brogdon, Perrantes and Evan Nolte need to step up and hit open threes. If not, it could become a weakness for the Hoos.