Postgame: #9 UVA defeats North Carolina, 60-48, in ACC Saturday Night Hoops

Updated: Saturday, 8:04 p.m. Ninth-ranked UVA jumped out to an early 21-4 lead, and while North Carolina would get back to single digits a few times, the outcome was never in doubt for the ‘Hoos in a 60-48 win on Saturday in JPJ.

Odd stat: the ‘Hoos have held the Tar Heels under 50 each of the past four times they’ve played each other in Charlottesville.

Credit to Carolina (12-7, 7-5 ACC) for hanging in there after falling behind 17 in the opening 10 minutes.

The Heels held Virginia (15-3, 11-1 ACC) to 1-of-12 shooting in the final 10:12 of the first half, and went into the break down 27-18.

The margin would never get closer than nine in the second half, but UNC was able to hang around with its defense, ranked third in the ACC in efficiency, per KenPom.com, coming in.

The Cavaliers finally broke contact late, hitting their final three from the field.

Big nights for Jay Huff (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Sam Hauser (17 points).

Trey Murphy III added 12 points.

UNC didn’t land a guy in double-digits. Little-used reserve Walker Kessler led the Tar Heels with nine points in 12 minutes off the bench.

Recap by Chris Graham

 

Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• 

  Virginia (15-3, 11-1 ACC) has won 11 or more ACC games for a school-record ninth consecutive season

• UVA held its fourth opponent to fewer than 50 points (4-0)
• UVA is 103-2 all-time when holding foes to fewer than 50 under Bennett
• UVA is 9-0 at home (6-0 in league play)
• The Cavaliers limited the Tar Heels to two points (1 of 12 shooting) for the first 7:47 of the game
• UVA went on a 21-2 run in the first half
• UVA went 1 of 12 to close the half, but held a 27-18 lead
• UVA forced one shot clock violation
• UVA made 10 or more 3-pointers for the eighth time

Series Notes

• UVA is 60-131 all-time vs. UNC in the series that began in 1910-11
• UVA is 37-44 all-time against the Tar Heels in Charlottesville, including a 7-4 mark at John Paul Jones Arena
• UVA’s seven-game winning streak in the series is its longest in the series since winning the first eight games between the teams from 1911-16
• UVA has limited UNC to fewer than 50 points in four meeting during the seven-game winning streak
• The Cavaliers have won nine of the last 10 regular-season meetings between the teams
• Tony Bennett is 12-8 all-time vs. North Carolina

Player Notes

• Double Figure Scorers: Jay Huff (18), Sam Hauser (17), Trey Murphy III (12)
• Huff tied a career-high with 12 rebounds
• Huff recorded his seventh career double-double
• Reece Beekman had career bests in rebounds (8) and assists (7)
• Huff (4 blocks) moved past Isaiah Wilkins for fourth on the UVA’s career blocks list (144)
• Huff recorded his 13th multi-block game (40th career)

 

More Postgame

• Video: Chris Graham weighs in on 60-48 UVA win over North Carolina
  AFP editor Chris Graham was live on Facebook with commentary and analysis of #9 UVA’s 60-48 win over North Carolina.
• Virginia’s defensive game plan worked to perfection Saturday night in JPJ
  The narrative a week ago was: this Virginia team will have to win because of what it does on offense, because its defense isn’t Tony Bennett vintage. What Virginia did to North Carolina Saturday night was Tony Bennett vintage.
• Scott German: Inside the numbers of UVA’s 60-48 win over UNC
  Virginia bolted from the starting blocks here Saturday evening against North Carolina and forced the Tar Heels to play catch up.
• ‘Finesse-y” Virginia bigs out-tough the toughs from Carolina
  It wasn’t that long ago that Virginia coach Tony Bennett was adding the word “finesse-y” to the lexicon to try to challenge his team.

 

Pregame Coverage

• ‘Street Knowledge’: AFP editor Chris Graham’s UVA vs. UNC ACC Saturday Hoops preview
  AFP editor Chris Graham tells UVA Basketball fans what they need to know about North Carolina heading into tonight’s ACC matchup.
• Scott German: Where have all the bluebloods gone?
  Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke: what do these schools have in common? For decades they have been among NCAA college basketball royalty.
• Scott German: Personal history to UVA-UNC basketball series
  Virginia and North Carolina prepare for the 144th all-time meeting between the two schools, and perhaps the most important aspect of tomorrow’s game in John Paul Jones Arena to me is, I’m going to be there.
• What UVA Basketball fans need to know about North Carolina
  If the NCAA Tournament were being seeded today, North Carolina would be among the blue bloods left on the outside looking in.