What are we doing wrong?

Going into double OT fun game to watch

I know 1 game is too small of a sample size to make a definite statement, but last night gave us a look at what we could be defensively 2-3 years down the road.

Wake could simply never get into a rhythm on offense, and a big part of that was we always had 3 guys who are 6'5, athletic, and rangy on the floor together at all times (except for mop up at the end) on the perimeter. I know we'll lose Malcolm sooner than the others, but we've got Thompson & Stith waiting in the wings...both who fit that profile.

Our defense hasn't slipped a bit with Justin out, and he's arguably our best individual defender. Obviously London is our best game manager, but I saw an element last night that we don't normally see with him out there, because Hall & Shayok are simply bigger and more athletic.

This week's power rankings. As always, very funny. Particularly enjoyed his "writeup" of Duke.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ncaa-college-basketball-rankings-kentucky-wildcats-duke-blue-devils-villanova-virginia-cavaliers-gonzaga-bulldogs-wisconsin-badgers-arizona-kansas-jayhawks-iowa-state-cyclones-notre-dame-fighting-iris/

UVA had only 6 hits led by a 2 run home run by Thaiss and 2 hits by Smith. Kirby was the winning pitcher and allowed 5 hits in 6 innings. Bettinger pitched the last 3 innings and gave up 4 hits and 1 run.

From UVa:

Virginia Baseball Knocks Off Hartford, 5-1
Kirby fires six shutout innings, while Thaiss

Behind six shutout innings from starting pitcher Nathan Kirby (Jr., Midlothian, Va.), the Virginia baseball team downed Hartford, 5-1, Friday afternoon at The Ripken Experience's Ebbets Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Matt Thaiss (So., Jackson, N.J.) hit a two-run home run in the first inning to give the Cavaliers (8-0) an early three-run cushion.

Ranked as high as No. 1 nationally, Virginia was forced to alter its regularly scheduled weekend round robin tournament because of inclement weather and field conditions in Charlottesville. UVa will play Seton Hall at 3 p.m. Saturday and Cornell at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Kirby (3-0) worked six innings, giving up four hits and four walks in earning his third win in as many starts in 2015. He struck out 10 for his third career double-figure strikeout performance. Alec Bettinger (So., Woodbridge, Va.) tossed the final three innings to earn his first career save.

Starter Kyle Gauthier (1-1) took the loss for Hartford (2-2), after allowing five runs (four earned), five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in six innings.

Pavin Smith (Fr., Jupiter, Fla.) went 2-for-4 for UVa and now has hits in all eight of his college games. Adam Haseley (Fr., Wintermere, Fla.) scored a pair of runs and drove in a run for the Cavaliers, who totaled six hits. David MacKinnon had three hits for Hartford, which finished with nine hits but left a dozen runners on base.

UVa took control early with a three-run first inning. Ernie Clement (Fr., Rochester, N.Y.) tripled to left-center to open the frame and Haseley promptly drove him home with a single up the middle. With two outs, Thaiss launched a shot to right field that caromed off a storage building behind the wall for his third homer of the season.

The Cavaliers pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third inning as Haseley drew a one-out walk and scored when Smith sent an opposite-field double to left to bring the runner around to score.

UVa took advantage of a Hartford error to add its final run in the fifth inning. With two outs, Smith reached on a fielding error and he scored when Towns lined a double down the left-field line.

Hartford had runners on base in every inning but finally capitalized with two outs in the ninth inning when MacKinnon singled to left-center to bring home Sebastian DiMauro.

The weekend round-robin tournament, which also includes Seton Hall and Cornell, continues Saturday and Sunday.

The remainder of the weekend schedule (home team listed second):
Saturday (Feb. 28), 11 a.m. - Hartford vs. Cornell
Saturday (Feb. 28), 3 p.m. - Seton Hall vs. Virginia
Saturday (Feb. 28), 7 p.m. - Seton Hall vs. Hartford
Sunday (March 1), 11 a.m. - Cornell vs. Virginia

The Saturday and Sunday contests will take place at Griffith Field. Admission is free. Live audio will be available online at VirginiaSports.com for each of the Virginia games as part of the Cavaliers Live subscription package. Live statistics (GameTracker) will be available for all six games in the tournament. The audio and live stats also can be accessed through the Virginia Sports app, which is available through iTunes.

My grandkids are marooned in the VaBeach Tundra and can't make it to Cville. I have 4 seats in Section 307 Row R available at face value $50 each. If you're interested in 2 or 4 call 703-816-8788. I can meet you at a convenient pub Friday or Saturday. I don't want to sell them to scampers or Hokie thugs outside JPJ.

Keep calm and Darion.

Took his player out of the handshake line to make him apologize for clapping in the face of the opposing players in the last 10 seconds. I applaud the sentiment. Gloating from players is never a good thing. That said, his language in addressing the player was completely inappropriate, especially since the entire exchange was caught on camera. He actually told the kid "I'll f-ing kill you." Now, let's be real, he obviously meant it as a figure of speech for giving the University a bad name. I don't believe for a second he meant it literally. He apologized almost immediately through a university spokesman (whom I'm sure spent the prior 10 minutes yelling at the coach over a potential lawsuit). Coach stuck to his guns, though, in the post game press conference. Said that behavior is completely unacceptable, that this was the player's one mulligan and said there wouldn't be a second. And he implied this wasn't the first time sportsmanship had been an issue with this player.

Obviously I hope (and believe) that Bennett would handle that without a profanity laced tirade, but I can't really blame a coach for standing up for good sportsmanship.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12390602/vanderbilt-head-coach-kevin-stallings-apologizes-berating-player-tennessee-game?ex_cid=espnapi_public

March 3rd 2013 at Boston College, a 53-52 defeat. Boston College was 13-16 at the time.

That is a span of 69 games. Pretty good streak.

I saw the excitement from TB last night after transition baskets I believe he just might enjoy us running just not full time. Tony was clapping and pumping his fist he seemed ok with it in the FSU game as well when Shayok pushed the pace. I believe that is something that makes us even tougher if we push even more to get some early offense. It makes it hard on our opponent if they're not sure if we're going to run or slow it down. We've got the athletes now to do this. We don't have to be up and down like UNC but selective running when we have numbers or a team reeling adds pressure and allows for open looks on primary and secondary break. These guys are scary good and I believe will only get better!

which led to the overwhelming victory tonight without two key starters.

I'm not talking about the Pack line defense or the blocker mover offense. I'm talking about the core beliefs Bennett brought to the program such as humility, servitude, etc. This group of players just seems to have an inner belief in each other, in Bennett and his coaching that allows them to overcome difficulties. Bennett has truly established his "program" and culture.

Evan Nolte came up big tonight after all his struggles shooting the ball. Bennett obviously believes in him and I think we saw why. Atkins continues to step up his game and has become an important part of the offense.

The first years really are trying hard to fit into the program and the philosophy of the program. Wilkins made numerous big defensive plays, Shayok was on full attack mode all night, Hall is getting comfortable and not only scoring himself but making excellent passes to help others score.

Just an extremely impressive effort tonight by so many players.

The game was not on Shentel Cable in Lynchburg. Nor is any reruns that I can find. Does anyone have a recording available?
I will be glad to pay you for it. All things considered I think this game was/is a classic.

If recording is available for sale, email me at gpopron@yahoo.com or text me on 434.907.3147.

Ron Bryan

This post was edited on 2/26 7:11 PM by gpopron

From the SID:

"Virginia held Wake Forest without a field goal for a 9:23 span of the second half, the ninth time this season the Cavaliers have held an opponent without a field goal for a span of at least nine minutes"

The number of times holding teams scoreless for 5 minutes is impressive, but that's one third of our games with a 9-minute gap. Wow.

right now in terms of a jump shooter is .... Brogdon who is 5 for his last 27 from 3 (18.5%). That is a MAJOR slump. And in some ways it kind of makes me smile because you know he is going to break out of it soon, and probably when the games mean even more.

It is incredible how this team has won game after game even when they could not shoot very well, and how we have been able to weather more than one player being in an extended slump.

Did you guys notice the one move where AG ... I beleive he received the ball out of an in bounds or something like that .... and he did a full 360 almost while doing a squat, then moved back to the free throw line after another move and shot the ball which hit the rim a few times and went in.

I have never thought of AG as the most athletic player but that series of moves just made my jaw drop. Incredible.

Anyone else remember the specific play I am talking about?

Any junior day info. Loving the basketball season and it has given me some (maybe foolish) optimism.

In the article linked below, 2017 RB Khalan Laborn talks about getting offers from Virginia, Florida State, Ohio State, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Charlotte in one day.

Article

I would be after tonight's game. I do not care who the opponent is when any team can have two starters sitting on the bench, give second stringers ample playing time, and still win by 34 points, the team is doing something right.

Check out this video interview from Winston-Salem with redshirt freshman guard Devon Hall as he explains the mindset he and the Cavaliers had on a night when the injury situation seemed to have put them in a bind.

CavsCorner Video: Devon Hall

I haven't had a chance to read through the past few post but just had some thoughts and questions.

First, I wonder what kind of drills if any is JA doing with his right hand.

As far as last nights game, and this is just my opinion, I think with out London we are more athletic and bigger. While LP steadies us on Offense I think the combo of MS and DH is just as good on defense. Not only that, but I think they can score as well. I think one thing with LP, he has the potential to hit consistently from 3 point range.

Here is the thing, we will have some figuring out when JA gets back as far as what his ability will be and how it will gel. At the end of the day, if we continue to play this hard on the defense, we will still continue to dominate.

I think we do have a few concerns getting close to ACC tournament time, but I feel if we just stick to our identity, we will be fine. As I type that, I thought about how we pushed the ball last night and I think if London is in, we slow it down, but MS and DH definitely has the ability to fast break well consistently.

This has been a very weird season to see this team with the loss of Joe and Akil and with the injuries and when you look at the record it's just unbelievable.

Have a great day!

From UVa:

Virginia Moves Weekend Home Games to Myrtle Beach
Cavaliers will play three games over the weekend

Virginia will move its upcoming weekend baseball round-robin tournament with Seton Hall and Hartford from UVa's Davenport Field to Myrtle Beach, S.C., because of field conditions from recent inclement weather in Charlottesville. Virginia will play three games at The Ripken Experience over the course of the weekend while adding Cornell to the tournament field.

"With the weather we've had and the forecast for the weekend, it is clear that playing at Davenport Field this weekend once again is not feasible," Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor said. "It's extremely unfortunate, but the only way to play these games is to relocate the series. This has been a challenging and unique start to our season, and we thank our fans for their continued understanding. We are excited about finally playing in front of them at Davenport Field very soon."

Rather than the four games that were originally scheduled for this weekend, Virginia will play one game each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Friday games will be held at Ebbets Field, while the Saturday and Sunday contests will take place at Griffith Field.

The new weekend schedule (home team listed second):
Friday (Feb. 27), 1 p.m. - Hartford vs. Virginia
Friday (Feb. 27), 4 p.m. - Cornell vs. Seton Hall
Saturday (Feb. 28), 11 a.m. - Hartford vs. Cornell
Saturday (Feb. 28), 3 p.m. - Seton Hall vs. Virginia
Saturday (Feb. 28), 7 p.m. - Seton Hall vs. Hartford
Sunday (March 1), 11 a.m. - Cornell vs. Virginia

Live audio will be available online at VirginiaSports.com for each of the Virginia games as part of the Cavaliers Live subscription package. Live statistics (GameTracker) will be available for all six games in the tournament.

Admission is free of charge.

Fans with tickets to the weekend games at Davenport Field may exchange their tickets in advance for a General Admission ticket to any other regular-season game at Davenport Field by calling the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 542-8821 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or bring their tickets to the gate for General Admission seating at any remaining regular-season home game, subject to seat availability at the time of arrival.

Virginia baseball fans are encouraged to sign up for UVa's text messaging service to stay updated on date and time changes for home games this season. To sign up, text UVABASE to 79516. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Season tickets, 10-game mini-packages and single-game tickets for the 2015 Virginia baseball season are on sale at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office. Customers may purchase tickets by logging on to VirginiaSports.com, calling (800) 542-UVA1 or by visiting the ticket office in Bryant Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets will also be sold at the Davenport Field ticket windows beginning one hour prior to each home game.

NM

Unexpected

Getting ready to start here with UVa's Tony Bennett. Check this thread in a few...

Hokies beatin Puke 39-35