UVA Basketball: Ugonna Onyenso swats ’Hoos into ACC Tournament semis

A buddy texted me after the Virginia-NC State game about Ugonna Onyenso, that the seven-footer played State today like they owed him money.

I thought it was more like, he played the Pack like they said bad things about his mom.

I wouldn’t advise owing Ugonna Onyenso money or saying anything bad about anybody close to him.

Onyenso blocked eight NC State shots, and was the key reason the Pack, which shot 71.9 percent at the rim this season coming in, averaging 11.3 makes per game, was 5-of-22 at the rim in this one.

Virginia needed every bit of the defense supplied by Onyenso in the 81-74 win over State in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

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ICYMI

• UVA Basketball: ‘Hoos advance to ACC Tournament semis with 81-74 win over NC State

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Onyenso got a season-high 30 minutes due to the early foul trouble for starting center Johann Grunloh, who picked up two fouls in the opening three minutes, then got his third 24 seconds into the second half.

No problem – Onyenso, coming off a 16-point game in the win over Virginia Tech this past weekend, was a difference-maker as rim protector.

I had State (20-13, 11-9 ACC) 3-of-18 at the rim in Onyenso’s 30 minutes on the floor.

His D inside countered the perimeter brilliance of Pack sophomore Paul McNeil, who finished with 26 points, and 6-of-11 shooting from three.

McNeil’s hot shooting fueled an 11-of-22 day from three for State.

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Photo Gallery

• Photos from Mike Ingalls/AFP

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Virginia did a good job keeping the Pack’s top two scorers in check – Darrion Williams )14.0 ppg, 4.8 rebounds/g, 41.2% FG, 38.8% 3FG) finished with seven points (2-of-6 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 0-of-1 FT); Qadir Copeland (13.7 ppg, 6.6 assists/g, 49.6% FG, 40.4% 3FG, 5.3 FTAs/g) had nine points (3-of-10 FG, 0-of-1 3FG, 3-of-3 FT) and six assists.

The ’Hoos (28-4, 16-3 ACC) had four guys in double-figures:

• Malik Thomas: 16 points (5-of-10 FG, 1-of-3 3FG, 5-of-5 FT)
• Thijs de Ridder: 15 points (5-of-9 FG, 2-of-5 3FG, 3-of-5 FT)
• Jacari White: 13 points (5-of-8 FG, 3-of-6 3FG)
• Sam Lewis: 12 points (4-of-10 FG, 4-of-5 3FG)

Dallin Hall had eight points (3-of-6 FG, 1-of-3 3FG, 1-of-2 FT), five rebounds and five assists (one turnover).

Devin Tillis missed his only shot from the field, but had five rebounds and four assists in 12 minutes off the bench.

Now we get to sit back and watch everybody else lose, ahead of tomorrow night’s semifinals.

Box score

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Highlights

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