If there’s one thing Virginia basketball fans have learned the hard way, it’s not to get carried away by fast starts. After all, over the past four seasons, the Cavaliers have gone 36-3 in November and December, but 35-47 in January, February and March.

So will this season be any different? UVa enters the New Year with an 8-1 mark and a No. 25 ranking. More importantly, this team goes into 2005 with more reasons for optimism than usual. Yet there are just as many reasons to be skeptical. Let’s look at five of each:

Optimism: Better nonconference wins

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