Home Women’s Basketball: Did Virginia’s NCAA Tournament bubble just burst?
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Women’s Basketball: Did Virginia’s NCAA Tournament bubble just burst?

Chris Graham
kymora johnson uva basketball
Kymora Johnson. Photo: UVA Athletics

Clemson broke open a close game with a big fourth quarter, sending Virginia to a 63-50 defeat on Thursday in a second-round game at the 2026 ACC Tournament.

The loss is the third in a row for UVA (19-11, NET: 36), and puts the program’s NCAA Tournament hopes very much in question.

The ’Hoos picked the wrong time to go ice cold from, you know, everywhere – 20-of-61 (32.8 percent) from the floor, 4-of-19 (21.1 percent) from three, even 6-of-13 at the line.

They don’t guard you at the line.

Clemson (21-10, NET: 42) won with defense, and hot shooting from three (10-of-20).

Talk behind the scenes has been that fourth-year coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (67-57 at Virginia) could be on the outs if she doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament this year.

It’s going to be a long 10 days ‘til Selection Sunday.

NCAA Tournament Resume: Virginia


Quad 1: 3-6
Quad 2: 2-4
Quad 3-4: 14-1

Topline

  • NET: 36
  • RPI: 64
  • ELO: 74

Result-based

  • HHS: 38
  • KPI: 53
  • WAB: 54

Predictive

  • Moore: 38
  • Torvik: 40
  • Massey: 45

Average: 49.1
NCAA Tournament seed projection: First Four Out

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].