BASKETBALL
The 'Hoos picked up their sixth win in a row Wednesday, defeating Tennessee, 46-38. Virginia got out to a 21-6 lead but from there, Tennessee was able to slowly inch back into the game and it was 25-16 at the half. In the second half, the Volunteers got it down to 38-33 but could get no closer. Virginia is 7-2 after the win and Tennessee is now 4-3.
The game was expected to be a knock 'em out kind of defensive battle, and it was. The Cavaliers shot just 1 of 8 from 3-point land, and the Volunteers were not much better, going 3 of 19. Overall, Tennessee shot just 28.8 percent from the field while UVa shot 35.8 percent. Rebounding was very close, with the Wahoos grabbing 37 boards to the Vols' 36. Virginia recorded eight blocks, with three coming from Darion Atkins, who has 17 blocks on the year (1.9 per game).
Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell both had 13 points to lead UVa in scoring and Mitchell added 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Atkins added eight points, Jontel Evans had four points, and Paul Jesperson, Evan Nolte, Mike Tobey, and Teven Jones all had two each.
The improvement by Atkins and Mitchell on offense in the low post this year from last year is significant. Both look smoother, calmer, and more patient around the rim. Assistant coach Jason Williford, a former assistant himself, works with the big men and deserves some credit for their development. Mitchell averaged 4.1 points per game last year and shot 50.5 percent and those numbers are up to 12.7 ppg and 52.6 percent so far this season. Mitchell's free-throw percentage is also up, from 50.9 percent last year to 74.4 percent this year.
Evans apparently tweaked his foot injury during the game and was going to get x-rays but hopefully he will be OK. We are thin at point guard and could really use his defense, senior leadership, and penetration ability on offense. After a game Saturday, the team takes an exam break and has no games for 11 days so that would be a good time for him to heal up some more.
Overall, this team is really coming together and continues to impress me and has a come a long way from early losses to George Mason and Delaware. The Cavs are young and mistakes will be made and we will suffer losses, but this is looking like a team that can surprise some people and pick up some good victories.
Saturday's game is at home against Mississippi Valley State, the alma mater of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. You never want to count your chickens before they hatch, especially as a UVa fan, but the Delta Devils are winless so the 'Hoos shouldn't need Evans to win and I would not be surprised to see his role extremely limited in the game or even see him not play at all.
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FOOTBALL
UVa is a team in transition. I posted on here on Saturday that junior quarterback Michael Rocco will transfer. In addition, five assistants were fired or reassigned Sunday. Defensive coordinator Jim Reid, defensive line coach Jeff Hanson, and running backs coach Mike Faragalli were all relieved of their duties. Shawn Moore, who coached the tight ends, will remain with the team but in a more administrative role. Rumor is it was his decision. Anthony Poindexter will remain a coach but is not going to coach special teams anymore.
The firing of Reid is the one most Wahoo fans seem to be questioning because at times, his unit performed admirably this year and ranked high in some defensive categories (yards per game allowed, third-down defense among them), but low in others (points per game, sacks, turnovers forced among them). However, the defense was supposed to be the weak point of the team and it certainly wasn't as it could be argued it was better than both offense and special teams. Reid was also a good recruiter and was liked by his players.
I'll have more on the football team in coming days as I put a capper on the disappointing 2012 season and look ahead to next year. Maybe by the next time I write about them, there will be some coaching moves made, too. The hiring of the defensive coordinator is something to keep an eye on as a couple defensive recruits, safety Malcolm Cook, of Fork Union, and cornerback Tim Harris, of Varina, near Richmond, could de-commit from the Cavaliers. Reid reportedly had a great connection with the Richmond area in recruiting and Cook and Harris were two of his targets. Andrew Ramspacher, of The Daily Progress, reported that Cook has officially re-opened his recruiting and that Harris hasn't but wants to meet the new defensive coordinator and could after that. Penn State has already visited with Cook since Reid's firing.
It should be an interesting few days and weeks for the Virginia football team.
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| Darion Atkins |
The game was expected to be a knock 'em out kind of defensive battle, and it was. The Cavaliers shot just 1 of 8 from 3-point land, and the Volunteers were not much better, going 3 of 19. Overall, Tennessee shot just 28.8 percent from the field while UVa shot 35.8 percent. Rebounding was very close, with the Wahoos grabbing 37 boards to the Vols' 36. Virginia recorded eight blocks, with three coming from Darion Atkins, who has 17 blocks on the year (1.9 per game).
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| Joe Harris |
The improvement by Atkins and Mitchell on offense in the low post this year from last year is significant. Both look smoother, calmer, and more patient around the rim. Assistant coach Jason Williford, a former assistant himself, works with the big men and deserves some credit for their development. Mitchell averaged 4.1 points per game last year and shot 50.5 percent and those numbers are up to 12.7 ppg and 52.6 percent so far this season. Mitchell's free-throw percentage is also up, from 50.9 percent last year to 74.4 percent this year.
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| Akil Mitchell |
Overall, this team is really coming together and continues to impress me and has a come a long way from early losses to George Mason and Delaware. The Cavs are young and mistakes will be made and we will suffer losses, but this is looking like a team that can surprise some people and pick up some good victories.
Saturday's game is at home against Mississippi Valley State, the alma mater of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. You never want to count your chickens before they hatch, especially as a UVa fan, but the Delta Devils are winless so the 'Hoos shouldn't need Evans to win and I would not be surprised to see his role extremely limited in the game or even see him not play at all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTBALL
UVa is a team in transition. I posted on here on Saturday that junior quarterback Michael Rocco will transfer. In addition, five assistants were fired or reassigned Sunday. Defensive coordinator Jim Reid, defensive line coach Jeff Hanson, and running backs coach Mike Faragalli were all relieved of their duties. Shawn Moore, who coached the tight ends, will remain with the team but in a more administrative role. Rumor is it was his decision. Anthony Poindexter will remain a coach but is not going to coach special teams anymore.
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| Jim Reid |
I'll have more on the football team in coming days as I put a capper on the disappointing 2012 season and look ahead to next year. Maybe by the next time I write about them, there will be some coaching moves made, too. The hiring of the defensive coordinator is something to keep an eye on as a couple defensive recruits, safety Malcolm Cook, of Fork Union, and cornerback Tim Harris, of Varina, near Richmond, could de-commit from the Cavaliers. Reid reportedly had a great connection with the Richmond area in recruiting and Cook and Harris were two of his targets. Andrew Ramspacher, of The Daily Progress, reported that Cook has officially re-opened his recruiting and that Harris hasn't but wants to meet the new defensive coordinator and could after that. Penn State has already visited with Cook since Reid's firing.
It should be an interesting few days and weeks for the Virginia football team.
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