The Virginia men's basketball team is 5-2, having won four straight games after getting a big 60-54 victory at Wisconsin in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night. Joe Harris led all scorers with 22 points and hit a number of huge, timely shots. Darion Atkins scored a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven boards. Wisconsin, which is now 4-3 and has fallen out of the top 25 after three straight losses, almost never loses non-conference games at home so I think that speaks volume about how far the Wahoos have come in seven games. The young team is really coming together quickly after beginning the year 1-2 with tough, close losses to CAA teams George Mason and Delaware, the latter of which was at home. Sandwiched in between those two losses was a less-than-impressive home win against Fairfield. The loss to Delaware knocked UVa out of playing at Madison Square Garden in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals. After that game, the Cavs defeated Seattle, Lamar, and North Texas before the road win over the Badgers. Freshman point guard Teven Jones, who was suspended for the Mason game and then hurt for the Fairfield and Delaware games, has come in and been really impressive. His poise has really helped Virginia become a better team as of late. He's been huge, especially given the fact that senior point guard Jontel Evans had played all of three minutes leading up the Wisconsin game because he was recovering from foot surgery. Jones, who came in the middle of last year and redshirted, seems to have a remarkable calm and command of the offense. That extra half year in the program must have really helped him so hopefully he keeps it up.
In addition to Jones, freshmen Evan Nolte, Justin Anderson, Mike Tobey, and Taylor Barnette have all contributed in some way.
Junior Akil Mitchell is the last major contributor I have yet to mention. Mitchell is averaging 11.6 points (second on the team to Harris' 16 points per game) and 9.4 rebounds per game. He seems to have stepped up his offensive game in the offseason.
Coach Tony Bennett has a young-looking, but confident team that appears to be getting better. It will try to move to 6-2 with a fifth straight win, over Green Bay, on Saturday John Paul Jones Arena.
In addition to Jones, freshmen Evan Nolte, Justin Anderson, Mike Tobey, and Taylor Barnette have all contributed in some way.
Junior Akil Mitchell is the last major contributor I have yet to mention. Mitchell is averaging 11.6 points (second on the team to Harris' 16 points per game) and 9.4 rebounds per game. He seems to have stepped up his offensive game in the offseason.
Coach Tony Bennett has a young-looking, but confident team that appears to be getting better. It will try to move to 6-2 with a fifth straight win, over Green Bay, on Saturday John Paul Jones Arena.
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