When the Virginia basketball program picked up transfer Sam Hauser last spring out of Marquette, observers took note. Hoo fans rejoiced. Understandably. On both fronts.

The just crowned National Champions added one of the best available transfers in the college game. ESPN ranked Hauser as the No. 1 sit out transfer of 2019; Hauser worked through the mandated transfer last year with UVA. Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports wrote on his College Hoops Today blog early in May that Sam Hauser should be the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Cavalier seniors Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key as well as other teammates have openly told media members that they predict a big season for Hauser with the Hoos after battling with him in practice.