Last night was one to savor. Virginia fans have been steadfast and fervent over the last three seasons, and have created a home court advantage that manages to be loud (but not crass), and intimidating (but supportive) in spurring the men on the court to a 44-3 home record over the last three seasons (and a 29-1 combined mark over the last two). When you’re a part of something that can not only contend for wins over top-10 opponents at home but expects them, you’re doing it right. Be thankful and enjoy it.
This one felt similar to the December win over Villanova. We weren’t as on top of our games as we were on that afternoon (and the opposition wasn’t quite as good), but just as in that game, we led an elite opponent wire to wire (UNC’s last lead was 5-2 two minutes in) and appeared to clearly be the better team. There were three things that we had to execute to take care of the ‘Heels — rebound, control the tempo and UNC’s transition chances, and take care of the basketball — and we took care of business. The ‘Heels had 13 offensive rebounds (and 39.1% rate), which feels high — especially since nine of them came in the second half — but they turned into just 10 points, and we outscored Carolina 14-10 on second chance points, surprisingly matching them with 13 offensive boards (a 38.7% rate) of our own. The tempo was quicker than we like, but closer to ours (66 possessions) than UNC’s, and the ‘Heels — the ACC leader in transition baskets — managed just two fast break points. Finally, we turned it over just eight times — a wonderful mark when you consider how UNC angles for steals and threw numerous defensive looks at us — and were measured in our shot choices.
Does this look like a man who’s satisfied with regular season success? (Photo: Matt Riley, UVa)
Things got a little dicey late. UNC tied the game at 45, 47, and 49 after finally seeming to emphasize their size advantage, but couldn’t ever get enough stops to pull ahead, and it wasn’t Brogdon or Gill that was scoring. Mike Tobey had four (a shot clock-beating jumper and a layup off of a tough offensive board) and Marial Shayok had a three point play. Up 52-49, Marial goaded Joel Berry into a missed layup, Kennedy Meeks missed a follow, and we emerged from the ensuing scrum. Malcolm hit a jumper and then a three on our next possession, and we had a working margin that we’d hold for the remainder of the game. We never managed to extend the lead into relaxing territory — it got close, but Devon front-rimmed a couple of threes and UNC came up with key baskets — but we kept things steady with smart passes and made free throws.
The offense hummed for most of the game. Malcolm scored 13 of our first 18 and 17 of our first 29, which was both awe-inspiring in that he seemingly could get anywhere he wanted and find any shot he felt like taking and terrifying in that I knew that he was going to need help and wasn’t sure that it was coming. He never really cooled down (finishing with 26 on 16 shots and continuing his campaign for ACC Player of the Year), but the help arrived. Anthony Gill shook off a tepid four point, two rebound first half to finish with 16 and nine, and it wasn’t just the points, but how they arrived: on numerous occasions in the second half, he sized up his defender, took two dribbles, and finished at the rim. It looked more like what we expect from Gill than anything else we’ve seen in the last month. Now, we just need his efforts to be rewarded with trips to the line. London Perrantes and Devon Hall both struggled to finish around the rim (they combined for a cringeworthy 2-12 on twos) but rained in 4-9 threes and combined for 23 points and seven assists. Isaiah — healthy, to the immense relief of the faithful — turned in a typical Isaiah effort, scoring eight, grabbing five boards, moving the ball, and making a handful of the hustle plays we’re used to him making that won’t show up in the box score but lead to wins. Things especially heated up in the second half, when we scored 1.25 points per possession by my count. UNC went to a couple of different defensive looks — a three quarter court press and a 1-3-1 zone — and while we looked a little uncomfortable at times (and didn’t attack the baseline against the zone), we managed them without falling apart. Malcolm’s been consistently great of late, but when one or both of Anthony and London are locked in as well and we get a fourth double-figure scorer on top, the offense hits another level.
The defensive game plan was clearly centered around Brice Johnson, and the UNC star never looked comfortable, finishing with 12 points (on just nine shots), seven rebounds, and five turnovers in 35 minutes. AG and Isaiah both took turns on him and held their ground admirably, but it was the post trap — aggressive and decisive — that carried the day. Tobey contributed there too, and I really liked what Jarred Reuter did in his five minutes on the floor. UNC’s best offense in the first half was Joel Berry dropping threes (he made a season-high four), and while they rediscovered their interior in the second, they were never able to consistently get where they wanted to go.
I was a little surprised that we only saw nine minutes from Tobey — as our best defensive rebounder, he seemed to be the key to securing the defensive glass — but he missed a key offensive board and seemed to be deployed for short stretches only. Tony tightened the rotation, with the big three all playing at least 35 minutes and Isaiah and Devon playing 30 and 27, respectively. Marial — with 14 — was the only reserve to play more than 10, as Jarred Reuter (five) played more than Darius (four minutes) and Evan (one). This was our first preview of what the rotation might look like in the postseason, when things tighten up.
I’m relieved that we got this win. The game may have been at 6:30, but the anxiety started when my eyes opened, and I always need us to hold serve against UNC in order to maintain my smugness about how superior our coach is to theirs (and how Akil Mitchell > James Michael McAdoo, and how Caulton Tudor should have voted for Mike Scott, and so on and so forth). The fourth-year seniors (Evan and Tobey) are now 4-2 against UNC, which feels really good.
Clemson is up next, desperately needing a win. More soon.
