In former coach Dave Leitao’s four years at the helm, one could make the case that very few Virginia players received the consistent playing time that was needed to maximize their potential.

When Virginia players received a text message early Monday from the coaching staff requesting their presence at a meeting in the locker room at John Paul Jones Arena, they figured it was time to go over offseason goals or workout routines.

“Obviously, you’re the one who’s driving the bus, so a lot of times it starts and ends with you,” said Virginia coach Dave Leitao.

This afternoon in Raleigh, N.C., the Wahoos (9-13, 3-8 ACC) — flying high after back-to-back wins — take on N.C. State.

Virginia’s Mike Scott has known Virginia Tech’s Jeff Allen for some time — both players attended Hargrave Military Academy.

Mike Scott’s ability to finish around the rim after Virginia had broken Clemson’s full-court press was a big reason why UVa was able to halt an eight-game losing streak.

During the Dave Leitao era, the Cavaliers have a 1-8 record in games played in Florida, California and Puerto Rico.

Jamil “The Thrill” Tucker played the best game of his college career in Virginia’s 84-78 loss at Maryland on Tuesday night.

The Cavaliers, bidding to win their first two ACC games to start a season since the 1994-95 campaign, were able to cut the lead all the way down to a point.

In coach Dave Leitao’s first three years at the helm, Virginia’s games against rival Virginia Tech have run the gamut.

Gruber’s shot, coupled with the fact that Virginia won its last non-conference game of the season, 74-50, basically tells you all you need to know about what transpired at JPJ. No, this game was not one for the time capsule.

Mamadi Diane — whose last 3-pointer came against Old Dominion in the CBI last March — was glad to see the ball swish through the net.

“It definitely felt good to come out the way we did and attack and be aggressive after the first half against Auburn, which was a really depressing way to come out,” said Virginia guard Sammy Zeglinski.

If Virginia has much hope of proving prognosticators wrong and not finishing last in the ACC this season, it’s pretty obvious that, among a number of things, Mamadi Diane is going to have to rise from the dead.

Virginia, behind a school freshman record 28 points from Sylven Landesberg and a career-high 26 points and 18 rebounds from sophomore Mike Scott, held off pesky VMI in front of 9,955 fans to win its 11th straight season opener.