No. 8 Virginia 86, No. 12 Villanova 75
Whether it's the stronger emphasis on allowing offensive players to have freedom of movement, thus making it more difficult to play solid defense, or the loss of an interior presence like Darion Atkins, Virginia's defense just hasn't been right this season. Now, it is still very good, but relative to the past couple seasons, it isn't as sharp. The good news for Tony Bennett so far is that in many games this year, the Cavaliers have shown they might have the best offense they've ever had under his tutelage. They displayed that again Saturday in beating Villanova 86-75. The 86 points are tied for the second most in a game this year by 9-1 UVa, and the sixth time it has scored at least 80 points. The Wahoos only scored in the 80s twice all of last season, and one of those efforts came in double overtime.
Against the Wildcats, Anthony Gill had 22 points, Malcolm Brogdon recorded 20, and London Perrantes tallied 19. I cannot tell you the last time three UVa players had almost 20 points in a game. For some of Virginia's better defense-oriented efforts under Bennett, it is lucky to get three players in double figures, much less to 20 points. Gill is just so good in the paint. He made 8 of 9 field goals and 6 of his 7 free throws. Brogdon was a rather pedestrian 3 of 8 from the field, but he made an absolutely cold-blooded 3 with 1:56 left that gave Virginia some breathing room. He also hit all 12 of his free throws. Perrantes was on fire from 3 in the second half, finishing 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. His late daggers came with four minutes and 3:26 left.
There were a couple of other imperfections in Virginia's game, too, other than the below average defense. With about 12 minutes left in the game, Villanova was allowed to get several rebounds in a row, one or two with just one player under the basket and about three Cavaliers around. That is unacceptable and has happened a couple different times in games this year. Overall, Virginia greatly outrebounded Villanova, but lapses like that are troubling. The other issue that has cropped up a few times is turnovers. Virginia was loose with the ball again in the first half after committing 19 in the win over West Virginia on Dec. 8. Virginia ended up committing 12 against the Wildcats. Ideally, you want that number in single digits.
There is no way Bennett is happy with everything happening on the floor right now, and you know that the defensive breakdowns are eating at his soul. The Wildcats hit 10 3s, which definitely kept them in the game and they also had a couple clean drives to the basket late in the game that prolonged the doubt of a UVa win. However, he's got to be happy with the offense, which has really jelled and looked great the past couple games against strong opponents. You have to figure that the defense will have better games come late in the season, but until then, Virginia can cover up some blemishes with a very efficient and dare I say, fun-to-watch offense.
Next up for Virginia is a home game Tuesday night vs. Cal at 9 p.m., another game to be televised on ESPN2. The Golden Bears are 9-2 and unranked, but began the season No. 14.
Whether it's the stronger emphasis on allowing offensive players to have freedom of movement, thus making it more difficult to play solid defense, or the loss of an interior presence like Darion Atkins, Virginia's defense just hasn't been right this season. Now, it is still very good, but relative to the past couple seasons, it isn't as sharp. The good news for Tony Bennett so far is that in many games this year, the Cavaliers have shown they might have the best offense they've ever had under his tutelage. They displayed that again Saturday in beating Villanova 86-75. The 86 points are tied for the second most in a game this year by 9-1 UVa, and the sixth time it has scored at least 80 points. The Wahoos only scored in the 80s twice all of last season, and one of those efforts came in double overtime.
Against the Wildcats, Anthony Gill had 22 points, Malcolm Brogdon recorded 20, and London Perrantes tallied 19. I cannot tell you the last time three UVa players had almost 20 points in a game. For some of Virginia's better defense-oriented efforts under Bennett, it is lucky to get three players in double figures, much less to 20 points. Gill is just so good in the paint. He made 8 of 9 field goals and 6 of his 7 free throws. Brogdon was a rather pedestrian 3 of 8 from the field, but he made an absolutely cold-blooded 3 with 1:56 left that gave Virginia some breathing room. He also hit all 12 of his free throws. Perrantes was on fire from 3 in the second half, finishing 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. His late daggers came with four minutes and 3:26 left.
There were a couple of other imperfections in Virginia's game, too, other than the below average defense. With about 12 minutes left in the game, Villanova was allowed to get several rebounds in a row, one or two with just one player under the basket and about three Cavaliers around. That is unacceptable and has happened a couple different times in games this year. Overall, Virginia greatly outrebounded Villanova, but lapses like that are troubling. The other issue that has cropped up a few times is turnovers. Virginia was loose with the ball again in the first half after committing 19 in the win over West Virginia on Dec. 8. Virginia ended up committing 12 against the Wildcats. Ideally, you want that number in single digits.
There is no way Bennett is happy with everything happening on the floor right now, and you know that the defensive breakdowns are eating at his soul. The Wildcats hit 10 3s, which definitely kept them in the game and they also had a couple clean drives to the basket late in the game that prolonged the doubt of a UVa win. However, he's got to be happy with the offense, which has really jelled and looked great the past couple games against strong opponents. You have to figure that the defense will have better games come late in the season, but until then, Virginia can cover up some blemishes with a very efficient and dare I say, fun-to-watch offense.
Next up for Virginia is a home game Tuesday night vs. Cal at 9 p.m., another game to be televised on ESPN2. The Golden Bears are 9-2 and unranked, but began the season No. 14.
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