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Virginia’s efficient offense faces test against in-state rival Virginia Tech Virginia’s efficient offense faces test against in-state rival Virginia Tech
(about 13 hours later)
CHARLOTTESVILLE — The opening weekend of ACC play offered at least two insights that promise to make Monday’s Virginia-Virginia Tech basketball game in Blacksburg an intriguing affair: Virginia’s efficient offense might be the class of the league, and the Hokies, coming off an overtime win over North Carolina State, will make Virginia earn it if the Cavaliers are to extend their seven-game winning streak in the series.CHARLOTTESVILLE — The opening weekend of ACC play offered at least two insights that promise to make Monday’s Virginia-Virginia Tech basketball game in Blacksburg an intriguing affair: Virginia’s efficient offense might be the class of the league, and the Hokies, coming off an overtime win over North Carolina State, will make Virginia earn it if the Cavaliers are to extend their seven-game winning streak in the series.
The fifth-ranked Cavaliers shot 57.1 percent in Saturday’s 77-66 win over Notre Dame. It was the sixth time this season Virginia (12-1, 1-0) shot at least 55 percent from the floor.The fifth-ranked Cavaliers shot 57.1 percent in Saturday’s 77-66 win over Notre Dame. It was the sixth time this season Virginia (12-1, 1-0) shot at least 55 percent from the floor.
Coach Tony Bennett’s teams have long been known for their defense, but these Cavaliers are thriving on both ends of the floor.Coach Tony Bennett’s teams have long been known for their defense, but these Cavaliers are thriving on both ends of the floor.
“If you’d told me we would shoot 48 percent against them,” Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey said Saturday, “I would have thought the game would have been better.”“If you’d told me we would shoot 48 percent against them,” Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey said Saturday, “I would have thought the game would have been better.”
Instead, it really was never close. After showing a penchant for slow starts, Virginia led by 12 at intermission against the Irish and stretched the lead to 19 in the second half en route to its 11th straight win.Instead, it really was never close. After showing a penchant for slow starts, Virginia led by 12 at intermission against the Irish and stretched the lead to 19 in the second half en route to its 11th straight win.
Virginia is shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, which is second in the ACC and 11th-best in the nation. Per the college basketball statistical website KenPom, the Cavaliers rank first in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency.Virginia is shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, which is second in the ACC and 11th-best in the nation. Per the college basketball statistical website KenPom, the Cavaliers rank first in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency.
[Maryland women fall to Ohio State]
The Cavaliers also have the second fewest turnovers in the nation and the sixth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country.The Cavaliers also have the second fewest turnovers in the nation and the sixth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country.
“We’ve been pretty efficient this year. That’s been showing. [Against Notre Dame] we didn’t overshoot the three but against their zone we got some right-at-the-rim play, we got some offensive rebounds, nine offensive rebounds, second-chance points for 11 points, and that certainly helps,” Bennett said.“We’ve been pretty efficient this year. That’s been showing. [Against Notre Dame] we didn’t overshoot the three but against their zone we got some right-at-the-rim play, we got some offensive rebounds, nine offensive rebounds, second-chance points for 11 points, and that certainly helps,” Bennett said.
“I like the efficiency, and that’s what you look for. Look for low turnovers and balanced scoring. I like what I saw, we have to turn around and do it again in a hostile environment.” “I like the efficiency, and that’s what you look for. Look for low turnovers and balanced scoring. I like what I saw. We have to turn around and do it again in a hostile environment.”
Virginia also heads to Blacksburg knowing it has offensive options in addition to starters Anthony Gill and Malcolm Brogdon.Virginia also heads to Blacksburg knowing it has offensive options in addition to starters Anthony Gill and Malcolm Brogdon.
Brogdon did turn in a potent second half against Notre Dame; he went 7-for-8 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, to score 20 points in the half. Brogdon did turn in a potent second half against Notre Dame; he went 7 for 8 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from three-point range, to score 20 points in the half.
In 7-foot center Mike Tobey, the Cavaliers have an efficient inside presence as well.In 7-foot center Mike Tobey, the Cavaliers have an efficient inside presence as well.
Tobey had 15 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes against Notre Dame, one game after he had 16 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes against Oakland.Tobey had 15 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes against Notre Dame, one game after he had 16 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes against Oakland.
Over the past two games the senior is shooting 70.5 percent from the floor and made all seven of his free throws . Over the past two games the senior is shooting 70.5 percent from the floor and has made all seven of his free throws .
“It feels good, these last two games now we’ve had a size advantage inside and I’ve just tried to use it to my advantage,” Tobey said. “Consistency’s been a thing throughout my career so just being able to put two together is a confidence booster.” “It feels good. These last two games now we’ve had a size advantage inside, and I’ve just tried to use it to my advantage,” Tobey said. “Consistency has been a thing throughout my career, so just being able to put two together is a confidence booster.”
Battling that kind of efficiency will be a tall order for Virginia Tech, which has been on the losing side of the in-state rivalry in nine of the past 10 meetings.Battling that kind of efficiency will be a tall order for Virginia Tech, which has been on the losing side of the in-state rivalry in nine of the past 10 meetings.
The Hokiesgive up an average 69 points and their offense is shooting just 44.9 percent from the field. Still, Virginia Tech (9-5, 1-0) played Virginia close in the first meeting last year, when the Cavaliers won, 50-47. The Hokies give up an average 69 points, and their offense is shooting just 44.9 percent from the field. Still, Virginia Tech (9-5, 1-0) played Virginia close in the first meeting last year, when the Cavaliers won, 50-47.
Maryland transfer Seth Allen and sophomore guard Jalen Hudson shared the spotlight against N.C. State with 23 points each.Maryland transfer Seth Allen and sophomore guard Jalen Hudson shared the spotlight against N.C. State with 23 points each.
It was Allen’s third 20-plus point game of the season, his first time starting at point guard, and Hudson’s season high. Though Virginia Tech shot just 39.1 percent, Coach Buzz Williams was pleased with his team’s staying power in overtime.It was Allen’s third 20-plus point game of the season, his first time starting at point guard, and Hudson’s season high. Though Virginia Tech shot just 39.1 percent, Coach Buzz Williams was pleased with his team’s staying power in overtime.
“We took 69 shots in kind of a grind game, it was because we didn’t turn the ball over. I thought it was the first time since we’ve been here that everything didn’t go very well and we just kind of hung around,” Williams said on the radio after the game. “ . . . It became more of a fight as opposed to, ‘I hope everything works out, and we can make some bombs and it’ll work.’ I thought we got some critical defensive rebounds. I thought we were much more disciplined offensively even though we didn’t shoot it well. “We took 69 shots in kind of a grind game. It was because we didn’t turn the ball over. I thought it was the first time since we’ve been here that everything didn’t go very well and we just kind of hung around,” Williams said on the radio after the game. “. . . It became more of a fight as opposed to, ‘I hope everything works out, and we can make some bombs and it’ll work.’ I thought we got some critical defensive rebounds. I thought we were much more disciplined offensively even though we didn’t shoot it well.
“I’m very thankful that early on in conference play our guys learned that it takes your soul to win, that it takes every cell in your body and everybody pulling in the same direction, and that every possession is monumental.”“I’m very thankful that early on in conference play our guys learned that it takes your soul to win, that it takes every cell in your body and everybody pulling in the same direction, and that every possession is monumental.”