The Virginia men’s basketball team travels to Atlanta, Ga. tonight to play Boston College in the first round of the ACC tournament.
The Cavaliers are seeking to avenge an earlier 80-70 loss against the Eagles at home. Looking to extend its season, Virginia (10-17, 4-12 ACC) hopes to ride its recent momentum after coming off an emotional 68-63 win against Maryland last Saturday on senior day.
Although his final season has been anything but perfect, guard Mamadi Diane led the Cavaliers in a bittersweet last game in John Paul Jones Arena for the senior. Diane scored a season-high 23 points with 7-for-12 shooting from the floor, leaving him just two points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career.
The Cavaliers appear to have a renewed optimism after possibly spoiling Maryland’s chance of earning an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.
“It gives us momentum moving forward,” coach Dave Leitao said.
This energy could help Virginia improve on the team’s 33.3 percent shooting from the field that contributed to the Feb. 4 loss to the Eagles. It might also improve the defense; during the same game, Boston College went 24-for-47 to notch a 51.1 shooting percentage.
Boston College senior guard Tyrese Rice and sophomore forward Rakim Sanders led the Eagles’ offensive attack with 20 points each; Rice, who averages 5.4 assists per game, tallied six against the Cavaliers. Sanders added 10 boards.
The Eagles (21-10, 9-7 ACC) prevented Virginia sophomore forward Mike Scott — who averages 7.3 rebounds per game — from grabbing any boards. Freshman center Assane Sene, however, stepped up and recorded a career-high 13 rebounds. With the 7-footer averaging 1.7 blocks per game, the Eagles also must be selective when shooting down low.
ACC Rookie of the Year and All-Freshman Team selection Sylven Landesberg dominated the scoring column, tallying a career-high and game-high 32 points. Landesberg also matched his rebounding average with six boards in the loss.
But even though Landesberg experienced success early in the season, teams have caught on to his game and now double-team the guard. Likely because of this increased defensive attention, Landesberg averaged only 11.2 points in the past five games.
Junior guard Calvin Baker has helped fill Landesberg’s void, averaging 12.8 points during the same five-game stretch.
With Baker as an additional offensive threat, some defensive attention could be shifted away from Landesberg. Scott — averaging 10.5 points per game — also should receive extra attention from the Eagles.
As the Cavaliers head into the postseason after what has been an up-and-down year, the team is starting to feel the heat.
“I don’t think we go in with no pressure,” Landesberg said. “We have a lot of pressure on it.”
ACC All-Second Team selection Rice will pose a serious threat to Cavalier defenders. Averaging 17.4 points per game and a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.4-to-1, he is charged with dictating the pace of Boston College’s offense. The senior also can hurt teams from the free throw line with his .860 foul shot percentage. On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles boast two sophomore forwards — Joe Trapani and Corey Raji — who average 6.5 and 6.2 rebounds per game, respectively.
Virginia can only “keep plugging” — Leitao’s self-described mantra, demonstrated in his squad’s upset wins at home against Clemson, Virginia Tech and Maryland.
“I think everyone on our team is really competitive,” Baker said. “I don’t think anyone’s going to give up.”
Read More
Scott Stadium selected to host 2026 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships
By Michael Liebermann | 19 hours agoThe biggest event on the college lacrosse calendar will unfold on Grounds.
Abysmal start proves too much to overcome as Virginia exits ACC Tournament early
By Ryan Weiner | 2 days agoIf the Cavaliers make the NCAA Tournament, they cannot afford to play another game like this.
As the Walshes take their final bow, the swimming world pauses
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoHow could anyone possibly describe the success of this duo?
