Can't Close the Deal

This is definitely a game Virginia will wish it could have back. It was a tale of two halves, two eerily similar halves, which in this case meant UVa experienced not one, but two, damaging meltdowns. A big conference game against in-state rival Virginia Tech, and the Hoos literally let it slip away. All the pieces were there for a big win. JPJ was raucous, Jerome Meyinsse and Mike Scott both played arguably their best games of the season, Sylven Landesburg put up solid numbers, and Jeff Jones stepped up as the third scoring option. Oh yeah, Jeff Allen was ejected and Sammy Zeglinski hit a double-clutch, beyond-NBA, three pointer with under two seconds left that sent the game into overtime. A little luck, some balance on offense, and the loss of a key opposing player - that's a storyline that would normally tell of a Virginia victory. Yet last night it turned out to be about "when" and less about "who." While, for the most part, Virginia played well enough to win, they just couldn't get it done when it counted most.

A game full of momentum swings and scoring runs, UVa twice had Va Tech on the ropes, and both times the Hokies mounted furious comebacks. The Cavs led 22-10 with 5:20 left in the first half, and up until then the game almost looked like the Wake Forest game in reverse. Va Tech's offense was stagnant and UVa looked as if it would be the one to open up a big lead heading into halftime while holding the Hokies to some ridiculously low first-half scoring output. Yet, Tech answered with an 18-5 run to close the half and headed into the break with a one-point lead. Sadly, Landesburg once again got himself into foul trouble and was on the bench for the last 4:29 of the half - the Hokies scored 15 of their 18 final first-half points while he was out.

In the second half, Virginia mounted their own comeback after a controversial ejection call sent Jeff Allen to the showers early. Down three at the time, the call ignited a Virginia run that quickly put the Hoos up by 10, and they led by as much when the wheels once again fell off. This time with only 2:52 left in the contest. Va Tech went on a 13-0 run to take a three-point lead before Zeglinski hit a monumental three to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Hokies quickly jumped out to a five-point lead and never relinquished control en route to a 76-71 win.

So, what happened? Well, quite frankly the same things that have plagued the Hoos all season. This squad has been notorious for scoring droughts and defensive lapses - quite often at the same time. Last night, this disastrous tendency happened twice and it cost the Cavs the game. Virginia gave up 18 points in the last 5 minutes of the first half - nearly twice as many points as the Hokies scored the first 15 minutes of the half. On top of that, UVa only mustered 5 points - two of which came on a Mustapha Farrakhan reverse layup as time expired. Since once wasn't enough, the Hoos decided to pull the same stunt to close the second half, allowing 13 points in under three minutes while managing only three points of their own - a heroic three-ball from Zeglinski with seconds left in the game.

During the droughts, Landesburg was nowhere to be found. In the first-half debacle, he was literally on the bench and out of commission with foul trouble. In the late-game collapse, he went dormant offensively (forcing some bad shots), and on top of that, committed two costly turnovers. This wasn't necessarily a problem the entire game. Deep in the second half, the sophomore guard started to drive and then whipped a bounce pass into Meyinsse for a nice inside hoop. In a lot of respects the play encapsulated some of the key reasons for Virginia's success (both for the season and in this particular game). Landesburg's nice assist showed he is evolving into a more complete player willing to create for others and Meyinsse, a key role player, stepped up and found a way to contribute.

While the Cavs displayed this improved, more well-rounded play for much of the game, they reverted back to their old habits when it counted most. Down the stretch, the offense became inactive as everyone seemed to stand around waiting for Landesburg to do something. Scott, dominant in the post during a good portion of the contest, disappeared and never got the ball down low when the Hoos needed a basket most. Furthermore, the good play from key role players also went by the wayside. Jones had 12 (generally things turn out well when the Hoos get double-digits from either Jones or Farrakhan), yet he went cold when it counted most. After he hit a three to extend UVa's lead to 10, he then missed two crucial threes and a pair of free throws.

The offense wasn't the only problem. As has been the case in many of Virginia's losses, the Hoos couldn't find a way to stop the opposing team's best offensive threat. Malcolm Delaney absolutely shredded Virginia and proved almost unstoppable during both of Va Tech's massive runs. Delaney scored 10 points down the stretch and finished with a game-high 27 points. J.T. Thompson matched a season high with 17 (his first double-figure game in the last 9), and Dorenzo Hudson added 18 - many of which were daggers. Once again, too many game highs and season highs by players from the opposition.

After an 8-game winning streak, Virginia now finds itself in the midst of a two-game skid. A trip to Chapel Hill Sunday, a place that has not treated the Hoos kindly over the years, means UVa will need to find a way to put together a complete game for the full forty minutes in order to reverse their current slide.
Continue reading this post...

What Virginia Tech Has ... You Don't Want

In recent years, as Virginia basketball struggled through more than one 4-12 ACC season and only one winning ACC season since 2001, it was a common refrain amongst Hoo Nation that Virginia Basketball doesn't need to be great; it should simply strive for what for what Virginia Tech has. 

It was not necessarily a surprising plea, as it was hard to watch Virginia falter as its arch-rival maintained a surprising level of respectability.  Despite predictions that Tech would wilt in a superior basketball conference, Seth Greenberg's charges have almost always been respectable, only once really bad.  Since joining the ACC in 2004, Tech was 38-42 in ACC play entering this season, and finished no worse than 7-9 in every season but one.  During that same span, the Cavaliers were 31-49, and three times were 5-11 or worse. 

But while I applaud the job Seth Greenberg has done in Blacksburg, you don't want what he's selling.  While Tech has overall been better than Virginia since joining the ACC, the two schools are nonetheless even on the only measure that really matters -- postseason success.  Despite always being respectable, Tech has been to the NCAA Tournament only once as an ACC member.  That was in 2007, when a senior-laden team earned a No. 5 seed, defeated Illinois 54-52 in a first round game that set back offensive basketball fifty years, and then politely folded to mid-major S. Illinois, 63-48.  That same season, however, Virginia also made its only trip to the Dance since Tech's arrival in the ACC.  The Hoos were a No. 4 seed, overwhelmed a supposed upset-special Albany squad, 84-57, and bowed out to a good Tennessee team, 77-74, in a Round 2 game whose outcome likely would have been different if J.R. Reynolds was not injured in the midst of a lights-out performance.  So despite the six-game disaprity in ACC records, its the Cavaliers who have the more impressive NCAA resume during that same span, a 1-1 record that could easily have been better, not a 1-1 record that could easily have been worse. 

Would you prefer 7-9 instead of 4-12?  Of course you would.  But let's not excuse respectable for acceptable.  Respectable is nice, and avoids your program being the butt of bad Washington Post jokes, but it is not the foundation upon which basketball programs survive, at least here at Virginia.  Just ask Jeff Jones, whose teams hovered around .500 in ACC play throughout his career but was canned after a disastrous 3-13 season in 1997-98.  No, you want what Pete Gillen and Dave Leitao tried (unsuccessfully) to build, and what Tony Bennett looks well on his way to establishing -- a national program with an occasional chance at greatness.

Perhaps they'll tolerate seasons of good but not great, interchangeable 7-9 and 9-7 ACC records, and life on the NCAA bubble but more likely headed to the NIT, down in Blacksburg.  But that's never been good enough in Charlottesville, and I hope I never see the day that it is.  Thankfully, I don't think that's what Tony Bennett has in mind either. 
    Continue reading this post...

No Big Surprise

As a fan you sort of saw this one coming. Running the table in the ACC was out of the question, so everyone knew a loss was coming at some point, and barely getting by UNC Wilmington gave the sense that the trip to Winston-Salem might not turn out well. On Saturday, Virginia's eight-game winning streak came to a grinding halt as Wake Forest handed the Cavs their first conference loss of the season. Raycom color analyst Mike Gminski noted UVa's "pack the line" defense and deliberate offense makes them a tough team to blow out, but the Demon Deacons certainly showed it's possible. Wake Forest built a 24-point lead in the second half, and a late Virginia rally kept the final score somewhat respectable at 69-57.

Bottom line, when you only score 15 points in a half (the lowest offensive output in the first half since 1993), it's going to be extremely difficult to beat just about anyone - especially another ACC foe. After last week's UNC Wilmington game, Coach Bennett warned that his squad's margin for error is slim, and Saturday's performance proved a perfect example. Early foul trouble for both Sylven Landesburg and Mike Scott left the Hoos with too few offensive weapons for much of the first half and the Demon Deacs took advantage. Hootie notes that losing the top inside and outside threat for such a long stretch is too much for a squad without multiple scorers.

While the offense proved virtually non-existent for a good portion of the game, the defense had its ups and downs as well. Virginia forced 24 Wake Forest turnovers yet the Hoos managed to make a marginal inside player in Chas McFarland look like a superstar as Wake Forest manhandled Virginia inside.

While most fans likely didn't expect a win at Wake Forest, the big question now is how the Hoos will respond. With senior Calvin Baker not making the trip due to a "coach's decision" it will prove interesting to see how the Cavs handle some adversity. Arch-rival Virginia Tech comes to town on Thursday and while a win over the Hokies is always good, it's also a game that serves as the perfect opportunity to get back on track. Continue reading this post...

A New Hoo

Earlier this morning red4z and his wife welcomed their son John to the world. He is their first, and at 6 lbs and 12 oz, Coach London indicated his is likely a bit undersized for the Hoos. However, it is reported that Coach Bennett is expected to visit John in order to start the recruiting process.

The Society would like to extend its congratulations to red4z and his wife on the birth of their son John! Continue reading this post...

And the beat goes on

When Bennett arrived at Virginia, the prevailing thought was his defense-oriented style of play would help the Hoos eliminate the bad losses to lesser opponents and put them in a position to compete and even beat more talented teams. After a blow-out loss to USF and close losses to Stanford, Penn State, and Auburn (all teams Virginia should have beaten), Cavalier fans were left wondering if the transition to Bennett's new system was still a work in progress or if the squad simply lacked talent - and no coach can turn a mule into a Kentucky Derby winner. A surprise 3-0 start in the ACC and a current seven-game winning streak serves as clear evidence that, as Coach Bennett warned time and time again, getting the system in place simply took a little time.

Virginia extended its ACC winning streak Saturday night with a dominant win over visiting Miami. Unlike their come-from-behind wins over N.C. State and GA Tech, the Hoos led this one wire to wire scoring the game's first 8 points and never looking back. The rout featured what was likely one of Virginia's most well-balanced offensive efforts of the season as four Cavaliers scored in double figures and Jeff Jones added 9 points all of which came from behind the arc.

If, for whatever reason, you need more proof Coach Bennett makes defensive play his number one priority, Jontel Evans' surprise start against the Hurricanes should settle it. Evans helped keep Miami guard Dwayne Collins in check and grabbed a career-high 7 rebounds. Look for him to remain in the starting line up tonight against UNC Wilmington.

Last week there was a bit of talk about Assane Sene's DNP against N.C. State and the expectation that he would see more time. There is little doubt he can and likely will play key role in helping establish a stronger inside presence for Virginia, but against Miami, Jerome Meyinsse made it clear he is currently the best option at center. Meyinsse plays with grit and a sense of determination that Sene can't quite match, and while 6 points is far from earth-shattering, it's probably about as good as it gets right now. Meyinsse seems to be gaining more and more confidence with each game, and getting 6-8 points from the center position each night would serve as a nice boost to the offense.

The weak attendance figures so far this season have been a topic of conversation, and with some of the aforementioned early-season setbacks, it appeared Cavalier fans weren't willing to witness the team's growing pains in person. After six straight wins, the crowd finally showed up (numbers-wise) Saturday night as a season-best 11, 413 turned out to catch Hoos. The athletic department also announced a new $10 ticket promotion which should help further build on the momentum generated from the current winning streak.

A 3-0 conference record marks Virginia's best start in league play in the last 15 seasons, and it seems that the players are really starting to "buy-in" to Bennett's system. The fans showed up Saturday night, so it also looks as if the fans are starting to "buy-in" to the idea that this year's squad could prove solid and worth watching. As the Hoos sit alone atop the ACC standings as the only team with an unblemished conference record, it stands to reason that teams are probably ready to "buy-in" to the idea that this squad is no longer a pushover. No longer able to surprise anyone, the new question becomes whether or not the Cavs have truly turned the corner or if this recent success was simply the result catching a few mid-to-lower tier ACC teams off guard. Either way, UVa fans should be sold on the idea that this new found sense of hope and excitement is a sure sign of progress.
Continue reading this post...

Two wins and counting...

It wasn't too long ago that many Virginia fans might have been expecting two ACC wins for the entire season.  After all, the Hoos had struggled in preseason play, with Coach Tony Bennett was preaching patience early and often and some even suggesting things wouldn't turn until he got "Bennett-Ball" players on campus.

Now that the Cavs have won six straight, including their first two ACC contests (something they haven't done since the Jeff Jones era), Hoo nation will be understandably jubilant.  Of course, let's keep in mind that Virginia's two ACC wins came against a N.C. State team that is likely to struggle all season and a young Ga. Tech team that, while talented enough to bury Duke at home, still has no idea how to consistently win on the road.  As Winston Wolf would say, "Let's not start..."

Still, two ACC wins is two ACC wins.  Its a league, unlike the one Bennett came from, where there are no free conference wins (since the Whack-10 always has one or two doormats, Oregon State filling the role in recent years, that any decent team can bank two wins against).  And hey, in the early season game of chance that is the ACC standings, Virginia stands alone at the top.

I won't pretend to know how they did it -- last night's tilt didn't even merit ESPN360 treatment -- but we can go around the Fourth Estate to get their thoughts:

• Hootie credited the win to matching the Yellow Jackets' inside presence.  In particular, Jerome Meyinsse, while he's still little more than a black hole offensively, was the most impressive, fighting off Tech's Gani Lawal all night.  For the second straight game, the Hoos fought for post position, an off-the-ball defensive key often lost under Leitao and Gillen.  Virginia simply didn't let Tech's big men catch in favorable spots, something they also did effectively against N.C. State's Tracy Smith.  Its something they'll have to continue to do, since their most effective lineup is still probably going small and their most legit big man -- Assane Sene -- still appears lost in Bennett's system.  On Tuesday, they outrebounded a much bigger Tech team 36-33 for the game.
• David Teel credited the Cavs' clutch three-point shooting.  As Teel notes, Virginia finished a pedestrian 5-for-14 from distance, but PG Sammy Zieglinski notched a pair of timely triples.  The first to cut the Tech lead to one at 55-54, and then, off a huge Landesberg offensive rebound, Zieglinski nailed another to put the game away at 72-63.
• Doug Doughty noted the Hoos' proficiency at the line.  So did the RTD.  Virginia was 23-of-26 from the charity stripe, a few days after going 19-of-20 at N.C. State.  Their opponents, meanwhile, let the Hoos hang around by failing to capitalize on those "free" points.  N.C. State was 16-for-26 from the line on Saturday, keeping the Hoos in the game when they may have had a chance to put it away.  Ga. Tech was worse, finishing a dreadful 3-for-11 from the charity stripe.  If you're perhaps undermanned, you have to find every advantage you can.  Bennett's charges have found one at the free throw line through two ACC games.  
• Resident Yellow Jacket killer Mustapha Farrakhan had another solid outing.  A year after stunning Tech with a couple of dagger threes in an OT win, Farrakhan scored 15 points off the bench in last night's triumph.  The junior guard is far from the most gifted player on the squad, but he's been its toughest player since his arrival three years ago.  And he's a perfect fit for how his new coach wants to play.

Virginia looks for ACC win No. 3 at home against Miami Saturday.  A day after mulling lowering ticket prices and sending an e-mail around (I know I got one) seeking suggestions on how to re-fill the JPJ like its 19 ... er 2006.  Yes, the lower ticket prices for nosebleeds would help -- it makes little sense that a seat in the last row cost as much as one twenty rows lower.  But if you build it - the program, not the building - they will come.  We'll see if that holds true with the Hoos 2-0 in the ACC and a Saturday night tilt against Miami coming up.    Continue reading this post...

Transforming Before Our Eyes

The win itself isn't necessarily significant.  Virginia won its ACC opener on the road last season too (an 88-84 OT win at Georgia Tech). But its the way they won 70-62 against N.C. State that, while not necessarily portending great things this season (that's still very unlikely), does give the Cavalier faithful some hope that the program is again moving in the right direction.     

• In just 13 games, Tony Bennett has gotten this group to do what Dave Leitao couldn't - play rock solid halfcourt defense.  The Cavaliers closed down driving lanes, fought gamely for post position, and outrebounded the Wolfpack despite playing with four guards most of the second half.
• Playing small (something Leitao tried at times last season) only works if everyone boxes out and all five players hit the glass.  The stats say N.C. State had eight offensive rebounds, but I didn't see many that were caused by a missed box out or a guard waiting for someone else to get the board, two things that plagued the Hoos frequently last season.  Virginia outrebounded the Pack 36-30 for the game.
• On the offensive side of the ball, the Hoos were rarely spectacular, but very efficient.  JP Sports flashed a graphic that Virginia had gone from 242nd last season to top 10 in least turnovers committed so far this season.  That looked like it might be the product of a soft preseason schedule after the Cavs committed eight in the first half and then another on the first possession of the second half.  But they only had one more the rest of the way.  Amazing what a few more possessions ending in shots can do for a team that still struggles at times offensively.
• It took him a year (two if you count his medical redshirt season) for Sammy Zieglinski to understand that he simply can't finish around the rim at his size in the ACC.  His drive and kickout for a Jeff Jones' three cut the Wolfpack lead to one at 53-52 with 4 1/2 minutes left.  Last season, Zieglinski throws something up at the rim on that play.  Saturday, he took four shots, two were threes, both of which he made.  That's how Zieglinski (generously listed at 6-0) needs to play to be successful in this league.
• Speaking of Jones, it took him two years to figure out his role at this level.  Jones has trouble creating his own shot, and still disappears for stretches.  But if he catches in space, Jones is a deadly shooter.
• Mike Scott spent a little too much time around the perimeter for my liking in the first half.  But he went inside when it mattered most in the second half.  His drive and dish to Landesberg gave Virginia a 54-53 lead it would never relinquish.  Then, his turnaround from the right block stretched the lead to 58-53.  On the defensive end, Scott also fought off Tracy Smith in the post with no possibility of help (surrounded by nothing but guards).  Simply put, Scott doesn't complete that effort last season. 
• Its easy to single out Landesberg, but people will do it anyway.  He was the best player on the court in the second half.  But he should have been.  Landesberg is capable of going both right and left, but teams have picked up that, like most players, he isn't nearly as strong going to his off hand (he's almost unstoppable going right).  But his runner going left to make it 60-55 (after N.C. State briefly broke out of an offensive funk with two points) was a dagger in the heart of the Pack.
• I close with one final observation.  Its often said that college basketball teams adopt the personality of its head coach.  In contrast to Leitao, who was often erratic and frenetic on the sideline, Bennett is the picture of cool.  The team followed his lead.  Throughout Virginia's second half run, the players (bench included) rarely overreacted - a few fist pumps here and there, but no jumping up and down.  They looked methodical - just like their coach, and just like the win.  I like it.         

    Continue reading this post...