Motivated No. 5 Virginia opens vs. Towson

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. -- Eight months removed from becoming the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, fifth-ranked Virginia is back and hungrier than ever.

The Cavaliers open their 2018-19 campaign at home Tuesday night against Towson.

"We've learned to just put the blinders on and be focused for the season," Virginia guard Kyle Guy said. "Mental toughness is going to be big for this team, especially for the returners. It's going to be in our face the whole season."

Despite the early exit from the NCAA Tournament last season, Virginia's resume was quite impressive and included 31 wins, a No. 1 ranking and an ACC Tournament title. A lot of high expectations…