Virginia, true to form, maybe not for 2021, but anyway, it’s about winning with defense for Tony Bennett-coach teams, and that’s what the ‘Hoos did Monday night in a 62-51 defeat of Miami.
UVA (16-6, 12-4 ACC) snapped its three-game losing streak on Senior Day, and before you look down your nose at beating the last-place team in the conference, this is a ‘Canes team that beat Duke, lost at Virginia Tech by one, lost at home to Virginia Tech in OT.
Virginia against Duke and Virginia Tech this season: 0-2.
The Cavaliers led 41-30 at the break, on the strength of a 14-2 run over the final 4:11.
The second half was as exciting as watching paint dry and as excruciating as a visit to the proctologist.
Virginia, one of the better shooting teams in the country as of a couple of weeks ago, has been a shell of that former self of late – and not more so than in the second half Monday night.
The Cavaliers shot 9-of-28 from the floor, 3-of-13 from three – and we’re not talking end-of-shot-clock rush jobs.
Sam Hauser, who had 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting on the night, saved UVA’s bacon in the second half – connecting on 3-of-6 from the floor.
The other guys in the Big Three – Trey Murphy III (12 points on 3-of-9 shooting) and Jay Huff (seven points on 2-of-10 shooting) – were a combined 2-of-11 from the floor in the second half, misfiring at will.
The defensive end was where this one was won. Miami (7-16, 3-15 ACC) shot 8-of-27 from the floor in the second half, and though the ‘Canes were able to get the margin to six on three different occasions, Virginia would answer on its next possession in each case, meaning there was never really any game pressure.
Just … frustrating basketball.
It’s a win, but you wouldn’t want photos of this one.
Story by Chris Graham
AFP Postgame Coverage
- Tony Bennett may be running out of time to get Virginia back on track
You want to give Tony Bennett credit, and then you want to give him a hug. Because guy is trying, almost minute by minute, to figure it out, though time might be running out on him in that respect. - Virginia gets 62-51 win over Miami: But ‘Hoos are still searching for consistency
Virginia got what it desperately needed here Monday evening, a win, to break a three-game losing skid.
Postgame Notes
Courtesy UVA Media Relations
Team Notes
- Virginia (16-6, 12-4 ACC) ended a three-game losing streak
- The Cavaliers clinched a top-4 seed and double-bye in the ACC Tournament
- UVA has 12 or more ACC wins for the fourth straight year
- The Cavaliers finished 10-1 at home (7-1 ACC)
- UVA had a 12-0 run and led 41-30 at the half
- Virginia honored seniors Jay Huff, Sam Hauser, Tomas Woldetensae and Austin Katstra, and managers Matt Palumbo and Carter Furr in a pregame ceremony
- UVA owned a 20-2 advantage in bench points
Series Notes
- Virginia is 13-12 all-time vs. Miami in the series that began in 1965-66
- The Cavaliers have a four-game winning streak vs. the Hurricanes
- The Cavaliers are 8-4 against the Hurricanes in Charlottesville
- Head coach Tony Bennett is 10-6 all-time against Miami
- Bennett is 10-2 all-time on Senior Day at Virginia
Player Notes
- Double Figure Scorers: Sam Hauser (18), Trey Murphy III (12)
- Hauser has reached double figures in 20 games
- Hauser had a season-high two blocked shots
- Murphy III had a season-high three steals
- Murphy III reached double figures for the 14th time
- Justin McKoy had eight points and six rebounds off the bench
- Woldetensae (3 points) returned to action after missing two games due to contact tracing and started his fifth game (first since Dec. 26 vs. Gonzaga)
Pregame Coverage
- What UVA Basketball fans need to know about Miami
What can go wrong, has, for Miami coach Jim Larranaga, whose team started 3-0, with a win over Purdue, before the bottom fell out. - ‘Street Knowledge’ podcast: Inside UVA Hoops with Chris Graham, Scott German
Chris Graham and Scott German examine life’s mysteries, at least those involving UVA Hoops’ recent three-game losing streak. - Fantasy booking UVA basketball: Trey Murphy III starting at the two?
As it stands now, Trey Murphy III is at three, Sam Hauser at four. Reece Beekman is your two. I’ve got a radical idea. - It’s time for another Joe Harris-Tony Bennett strategy session
Tony Bennett is facing an alchemy problem not unlike the one he faced back in 2013-2014.
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