CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Forward and ACC Preseason Player of the Year Thijs De Ridder scored 17 points in 19 minutes to lead five Virginia basketball players in double figures as the Cavaliers went on the road and routed Villanova, 93-71, in the team’s preseason exhibition finale.

“I think both teams are ready to start the season and get going,” UVA coach Ryan Odom said. “We don’t have long. Nov. 3 is right around the corner.”

The No. 9 Cavaliers got 15 points from point guard Chance Mallory, 13 from guard Sam Lewis and 11 from forward Nolan Adekunle. Guard Elijah Gertrude came off the bench to score 16 and add five steals for UVA, which opens the regular season Nov. 3 at home against Drexel. Gertrude went 5 for 6 from 3-point range as shots from beyond the arc continue to be a major part of the offense.

Of Virginia’s 66 shots from the floor Thursday night, 38 came from 3-point range. Adekunle (3 for 6), De Ridder (2 for 3), Lewis (2 for 7) and Christian Harmon (2 for 2) all had multiple 3-pointers. Starting center Johann Grunloh struggled, going 0 for 6 from deep.

Odom said offensive rebounding 3-point misses is a key part of the UVA offense and makes him comfortable with his team shooting so many 3s.

“You can’t live with and die by it. Let’s try not to die by it,” Odom said. “We certainly want to try to find 2-point field goals.”

Virginia did commit 13 turnovers, with nine coming from the starting lineup. Five came in the first half.

“That’s going to happen,” Odom said. “Villanova’s good on defense. They’re active. They’re switching. Sometime you think exactly who’s going to be there, and then they’re not. That can mess you up. They’re active with their hands. They’re very physical.”

Adekunle, a 6-foot-7, 225-pounder from Germany, appears to have seized the fifth starting position alongside four returners in De Ridder, Grunloh, Mallory and Lewis. Thursday he added four rebounds and three assists in his 28 minutes.

“Nolan’s special,” Odom said. “He’s very steady. he doesn’t try to do too much. When he’s open he shoots it. He tries to defend every position. He tries to rebound. He tries to be physical. He’s a team player.”