After an invigorating basketball season ended in an ACC Championship and a Sweet Sixteen run, returning to conversations on spring football can be a bit like a splash of cold water to the face.

The Virginia football team, after all, wrapped up a 2-10 campaign last fall. With only one winning season sandwiched in the middle of five losing seasons that have featured a combined 18-42 record, there is little energy of any kind surrounding the football program these days. Understandably.

But something jumped out at me during a Mike London teleconference a couple of weeks back, a point when the UVa basketball team was piling up postseason wins.

“What’s different about this team, this group right now is guys are saying ‘Where can I play?’ ‘Where can I help?’ ‘What can I do?’ That’s an attitude that’s different and is welcomed and needed. Everyone knows we have to perform and play better but when it comes from the players … you can take significant steps that way,” London said.

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