UVa. (14-5, 5-1 ACC) renews its in-state rivalry against Virginia Tech (8-10, 1-5 ACC) on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena (14,593) is set for 3 p.m.
Broadcast Information
The Virginia-Virginia Tech game will be televised by the ACC Network and online at ESPN3.com. The game will be broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network and Sirius (Channel 92) and XM (Channel 190) satellite radio stations. Live statistics (GameTracker) are located on VirginiaSports.com, as well as the Virginia Sports app, which is available free of charge through iTunes. Fans can also follow the game via Twitter at @UVaMensHoops.
Ticket Information
The Virginia-Virginia Tech game is sold out. Tickets for the Virginia’s remaining home games against Boston College (Feb. 5), Maryland (Feb. 10), Notre Dame (Feb. 22) and Miami (Feb. 26) may be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com/tickets. Fans may also purchase tickets through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office by telephone and in person. The ticket office is located in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-8821. Tickets may also be purchased on game day at the JPJ box office 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend
• The Virginia-Virginia Tech game is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend, celebrated Jan. 24-26.
• The nationwide event unites coaches across the country to raise awareness about the fight against cancer, and promote the American Cancer Society as a place for help and support.
• On Saturday, the Virginia and Virginia Tech coaching staffs will wear sneakers with their game attire as a visible reminder about the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing one’s cancer risk.
For Openers
• Virginia’s 5-1 start in the ACC is its best since starting 5-1 in 1994-95.
• Virginia seeks its first 6-1 start in the ACC since 1982-83 (Ralph Sampson’s senior season).
• The margin of victory in each of the Cavaliers’ first five ACC wins was at least 10 points, for the first time in school history.
• As of Jan. 23, Virginia is tied for second in the ACC at 5-1 and Virginia Tech is tied for 14th at 1-5.
• The Cavaliers rank fifth in the nation in scoring defense at 56.8 points per game.
The Head Coaches
Virginia: Tony Bennett (Green Bay, 1992), 90-58 in five seasons at UVa and 159-91 in eight seasons overall.
Virginia Tech: James Johnson (Ferrum, 1993), 21-29 in two seasons at Virginia Tech.
All-Time vs. Virginia Tech
• Virginia is 84-53 all-time vs. Virginia Tech in the series that dates back to 1914-15.
• Head coach Tony Bennett is 5-3 all-time vs. Virginia Tech.
• The Cavaliers are 34-12, including a 4-3 mark at John Paul Jones Arena, against the Hokies in Charlottesville.
• The Cavaliers have won three straight games against Virginia Tech and five of the last six contests in the series.
• Virginia posted a two-game sweep against Virginia Tech last season (74-58 win in Blacksburg and 73-55 win in Charlottesville).
• Virginia is 4-1 against Virginia Tech in its last five games and 6-4 in its last 10.
Last Time vs. the Hokies
• Joe Harris scored 26 points and Virginia held national scoring leader Erick Green (22 points) without a field goal into the second half, sweeping the season series against Virginia Tech with a 73-55 win on Feb. 12, 2013.
• Harris matched his career high with five 3-pointers, all in the first half, and Akil Mitchell added 17 points for the Cavaliers.
• Virginia trailed 18-17 until Teven Jones made a 3-pointer with 10:31 to go in the first half, sparking a half-ending 19-5 run.
•UVa held Virginia Tech to 34.6 percent (18-of-52) shooting from the field, and 32 percent (8-of-25) on 3s.
Last Time Out
• Malcolm Brogdon and Joe Harris each scored 16 points as Virginia defeated North Carolina, 76-61,Monday night.
• The Cavaliers, who led by 23 points in the second half, also received 13 points from Justin Anderson and eight points and eight rebounds from Anthony Gill.
• Kennedy Meeks scored 15 points and James Michael McAdoo had 11 for North Carolina.
• Virginia made eight 3-pointers and turned 11 North Carolina turnovers into 17 points.
• London Perrantes had eight points (2-of-2 on 3-pointers), a career-best nine assists, two steals and only one turnover.
About the Cavaliers
Virginia has won five of its last six games and looks to win its third straight overall. The Cavaliers are coming off a convincing 76-61 win over North Carolina and a win against Virginia Tech would match their 6-1 ACC start in the 1982-83 season.
The Cavaliers’ success has been highlighted by its fifth-ranked defense, rebounding and balanced scoring. The Cavaliers are yielding 56.8 points per game and grabbing 55 percent of the rebounds, ruling the glass in 14 of 19 games and enjoying an average rebound margin of +7.3 per game. UVa also ranks 13th in the nation in field goal percentage defense at 38 percent.
Virginia is averaging 67 points per game, marking their highest total under head coach Tony Bennett. Virginia is averaging 25 bench points and has scored 43 percent of its points in the paint.
UVa sports a balanced scoring attack, led by All-ACC performer Joe Harris at 11.6 points per game. Harris has hit double figures in scoring in each of the last five games. Malcolm Brogdon is second on the team in scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg) and has added a team-leading 1.4 steals per game. Brogdon ranks 13th in scoring during ACC action at 14.5 points per game.
Versatile guard Justin Anderson has recorded 9.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Anthony Gill, who has led the team in scoring in four games, has registered 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Mike Tobey has chipped in 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Akil Mitchell has added 6.7 points and a team-best 6.7 rebounds per game. Mitchell ranks second in the ACC at 9.3 rebounds per game during league play. Freshman point guard London Perrantes ranks second in ACC action in assist to turnover ratio (4.14), tied for third in assists (4.83 apg) and sixth in steals (1.67 spg).
Up Next
Virginia plays at Notre Dame on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Tipoff at Purcell Pavilion is set for 9 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
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