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.