We’re #1
The updated KenPom.com power ratings have Virginia ranked #1 after the Cavs’ 70-54 win over West Virginia.
Virginia (8-1) is first, followed by Oklahoma (6-0) at #2, Purdue (9-0) at #3, Duke (8-1) at the four spot, and Villanova (7-1) at five.
UVA and Villanova meet up on Dec. 19 in Charlottesville following the Cavs’ 11-day final exam break.
AG comes up big for Virginia
Anthony Gill carried Virginia on his back in the first half, scoring 15 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
Gill was 7-of-9 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. His teammates were a combined 6-of-15 from the floor with 11 turnovers.
Gill finished with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes and a 137 ORating per KenPom.com.
Blistering
West Virginia pulled out of its press for a stretch in the second half as UVA started pulling away, for good reason.
The WVU press is feast (forcing 19 turnovers Tuesday night) or famine (Virginia shot 62.8 percent for the game).
UVA’s shooting on two-point shots was a blistering 68.6 percent (24-of-35).
Bricklayers
For whatever reason, West Virginia hoisted up 14 threes, making two, for 14.3 percent accuracy. Coming in, the Mountaineers had shot 17.6 threes per game and connected on 28.5 percent from long-range.
Virginia was a modest 3-for-8 on the night from three-point range.
London Perrantes was 3-for-3 from behind the arc on the night.
Turnover story
Virginia finished with a season-high 19 turnovers, and you knew that already, but you didn’t know two other things.
One, West Virginia had 18 turnovers.
The other, Virginia had a 19-15 advantage in points off turnovers.
What’s up with Tobey?
The answer is probably obvious. Mike Tobey played just six minutes Tuesday, just one after the half.
Tobey, we will be told, isn’t a good matchup against a team like West Virginia.
You have to wonder at this point if Tobey hasn’t finally jumped the shark.
Since playing 30 minutes in the 73-68 loss at George Washington on Nov. 16, Tobey has averaged 14.4 minutes per game, scoring 6.0 points per game on 50 percent shooting and pulling down 3.6 rebounds per game.
His inability to defend pick-and-rolls and provide help on the back line of the Pack-Line makes him a liability even with his prowess on the offensive end.
Isaiah Wilkins has been getting more minutes of late, averaging 18.5 minutes over the past seven, averaging 5.2 points on 60.9 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds,
– Compiled by Chris Graham
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