X (Twitter): @TreyKelleher3 (https://twitter.com/treykelleher3)
CHARLOTTESVILLE. VA- UVA (-6.5) VS. PITTSBURGH
The win streak was at 8, the home win streak was at 23, and Kihei Clark was in the building, but the "trap game" finally caught Virginia (19-6, 10-4 ACC) on Tuesday night. Jeff Capel had about a week to come up with a scheme to defeat the Cavaliers and the Panthers put forth an incredible effort to execute leading to a 74-63 final in their favor. Pittsburgh (16-8, 7-6 ACC) now claims a 4-game win streak and are making a push to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.
"It's hard to beat a team that makes 14 threes," said Virginia's Isaac McKneely after the game. Pitt shot 44% (14-32) from behind the arc and that was lead by their star, Blake Hinson who knocked down 5 threes of his own and finished with 27 points. It is not often a Tony Bennett coached team gets dominated by one specific player, but Tuesday's contest was an exception. A lot of Hinson's success had to do with the movement, aggression, and facilitating from his teammates on offense, but in the end he was the main reason for the nail put in Virginia's coffin.
The Hoos came out in the second half determined as they made their first 8 field goals, but the issue was they seemed to be trading buckets with the Panthers. Virginia held a 43-40 lead after their early success in the second half, but then Pitt went on a 34-20 run to end the game.
Overall, Virginia had decent production on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 50% (25-50) from the floor, and dishing out 19 assists as a team. Reece Beekman had 19 points and Isaac McKneely added 15 points, but the production from the other Cavaliers that saw the floor was simply not enough.
Virginia fans shouldn't feel like the sky is falling after this loss. Why? Because unlike after the other 5 losses, we know how good this team is. The key is to get Jacob Groves, Jordan Minor, and/or Ryan Dunn going offensively along with Isaac and Reece. The more offensive threats this team has to offer, the more dangerous they are. It can't just be 2 guys, most of Virginia's success the 8 games before this last one has come from stressing opponents out by having at least 4 guys that look to/can score.
I am looking forward to seeing how Tony Bennett, his staff, and the players respond to this loss. It will be another tough test as they face Wake Forest at JPJ on Saturday, a team they lost to back in January by a score of 66-47. Virginia is a drastically different team now, but Wake is looking to strengthen their resume and will be hungry for a win.
Go Hoos!
Comentários