X (Twitter): @TreyKelleher3 (https://twitter.com/treykelleher3)
BLACKSBURG, VA- UVA (+3.5) vs. VIRGINIA TECH
Hokies by a million. This "contest" was never in doubt, as Virginia Tech (15-11, 7-8 ACC) left Cassell Coliseum with a 75-41 victory over Virginia (20-7, 11-5 ACC) on Monday night. I understand a 34 point loss to a rival is bad for the metrics and embarrassing, but this is one that the team, the coaching staff, and the fans need to shake off and just give credit to Mike Young's squad. Why? because the Hoos still have a lot to play for, and there is no benefit or sense in overreacting at this point in the season. Adjustments certainly need to be made, but I would like to take this opportunity to remind UVA fans that they are not John Wooden, and Virginia has a more than capable head coach on the sidelines.
The truth is that Virginia Tech dominated on both sides of the ball, they had a far better game plan than they brought to Charlottesville, and Virginia played soft basketball in an environment you need to be fearless in. I was most impressed with how involved Lynn Kidd was in the offense after only having 2 points in the first round of the Commonwealth Clash. Kidd finished as the Hokies leading scorer with 14 points (5-5 FG), was 4-4 from the charity stripe, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Senior forward, Robbie Beran also shot perfect from the field totaling 13 points. Beran was 4-4 from the field, 3-3 from the free throw line, and 2-2 from three.
On the other end of the floor, Tony Bennett and his staff are probably still scratching their heads trying to figure out how this could happen. Jordan Minor, who was the key to success for the Hoos last time out against the Hokies, had just 5 points, was 1-4 from the field, and only played 14 minutes. He was pulled two minutes into the game after picking up a quick foul against Lynn Kidd, and just never seemed to get in a rhythm after that. Reece Beekman, who was averaging 18.5 ppg over the last 6 games, was held in check finishing with just 7 points (3-10 FG), Isaac McKneely had a decent night shooting as he finished with 11 points, but only made a single three.
UVA picked up 16 personal fouls to Virginia Tech's 6 on Monday night. Were there some missed calls? Yes. Were there horrible calls that were made? Yes. But the right to complain about fouls is lost when you lose by 34. Plain and simple.
This was a "burn the tape" type of game, which makes 6 total tapes burned this season. The good news is, Tony Bennett is a master at making postgame adjustments, and will have this team ready for North Carolina (20-6, 12-3 ACC) on Saturday.
Virginia no longer controls their own destiny to a #1 seed in the ACC tournament with Duke and UNC both claiming a 12-3 conference record, but with four games left there is still plenty that can happen. This is college basketball after all, the only certainty is chaos in this sport.
Up Next: vs. UNC 2/24 @ 4pm. Go Hoos!
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