The Virginia men’s basketball team cruised to a 67-42 victory against Navy Tuesday night. All 15 active players saw playing time and four scored in double figures. Virginia fans should be pleased with the team’s performance. Or should they?
From the outside, as a team that is 3-1 with its only loss coming on a last-second 3-pointer by No. 10 VCU, the Cavaliers appear to have lived up to their preseason billing. But this is not the same fundamentally sound, Tony Bennett-coached team from a year ago.
The team still hustles and scraps for loose balls. The defense still looks rock solid for the most part, especially considering guys like Anthony Gill and London Perrantes are still learning Bennett’s pack line system and Malcolm Brogdon is just getting back into the swing of things after missing last season with a foot injury..
But the most alarming issue is at the free throw line. Last year, the Cavaliers ranked 106th out of 347 Division-I teams in free throw percentage, converting 70.6 percent of their attempts. This year? They were tied for 302nd — with VCU, how neat! — out of 351 teams at a dismal 61.8 percent.
The real kicker? That clip dropped to 50.2 percent after a 4-of-11 performance Tuesday night, knocking the Cavaliers outside of the top 330 Division-I teams.
Granted, the sample size isn’t large. That number should even out over the season, provided there isn’t a larger, underlying issue. But they are called “free” throws for a reason. Championship teams don’t leave easy points on the table, and for a team like Virginia that will likely play in many a tight game this season, free throws could be the difference between a tournament-caliber breakthrough and a disappointing loss. For reference, look no further than the Cavaliers’ 17-of-33 showing in a three point loss to VCU.
“The free throw line — that is what it is right now,” Bennett said. “Some of the guys looked a little anxious at the free throw line, but hopefully they will keep getting there and make those shots when we need them.”
One last note on free throws: Joe Harris was 0-for-2 in his lone trip to the line Tuesday, reminiscent of when he skunked a pair of late free throws against VCU. His free throw percentage sits at .400 on 10 attempts, a far cry from his .740 percentage last season. But like the rest of the team, Harris should rebound from his unsightly free throw woes as the season progresses.
“I hit a lot of free throws in practice, but that doesn’t really mean anything if you can’t make them in the game,” Harris said. “But that stuff will come, I’m not too worried about it. I do need to do a better job of getting myself to the line, though, and developing a rhythm there.”
Virginia plays a string of unranked opponents before No. 12 Wisconsin comes to Charlottesville for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge Dec. 4. After falling victim to Harris in Madison last year, the Badgers will be out for blood. The Cavaliers better hope they fix their free throw difficulties before Dec. 4.
Another apparent difference so far this season is the lack of consistent 3-point shooters. Virginia has dominated opponents inside the paint, but its 3-point percentage is down to .231 from a stellar .385 last season, which ranked 19th in the country. If teams start to lock down the paint and dare the Cavaliers to take outside shots, can they make their opponents pay?
Paul Jesperson and Taylor Barnette both transferred, taking their respective .370 and .432 3-point field goal percentages with them. But that still leaves Harris and Evan Nolte, who last season made 77 and 42 3-pointers, respectively, to lead the team. Where have they been?
After a 2-10 start to the year, Harris appeared to return to form against the Midshipmen, drilling 2-of-3 shots from long range. And Brogdon has picked up some of the slack, going 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. He looks to be a viable threat from downtown, particularly when he plays shooting guard rather than the point.
But Nolte has been a different story. In the three games he has played in, he has scored just three points in 32 total minutes on the floor, and has failed to connect on any of his six attempts from 3-point range. He and Bennett both denied that Nolte’s struggles have anything to do with the broken nose and concussion that kept him out of the VCU game, and Nolte believes that if he remains confident and keeps shooting, his shot will eventually come around.
“He shot it really well [in practice Monday],” Bennett said. “He doesn’t look comfortable yet. In terms of the air ball [against Navy], I don’t know what that was. He just needs to keep plugging. He is a smart player. He gives us lifts at certain times and he is a lot better than he looks.”
The Cavaliers will need Nolte’s three-point production this season, but on a team with such a deep lineup, Nolte’s opportunities have been growing scarcer. Averaging 19.8 minutes per game a year ago, the sophomore forward has played just 10.7 minutes per game this season, likely making it difficult to find a rhythm on offense.
So while Virginia looks to extend its two-game win streak Saturday against Liberty, there are still pressing issues that need to be addressed. These issues will likely work themselves out over time in practice and games. However, I’m no doctor, but if symptoms persist longer than six or seven games, Bennett and his team may want to consider contacting one.
Read More
Virginia softball fumbles last home game of the season to Virginia Tech
By Eleanor Lynch | 6 hours agoThe Hokies shut out the Cavaliers, who continue to show immense struggles at the plate.
Hoos in the NBA Playoffs
By Oliver Blair | 9 hours agoThe NBA Playoffs are tipping off imminently, and many of Virginia’s former heroes will be chasing the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
No. 5 women’s tennis closes out the regular season with back-to-back victories against No. 19 Miami and No. 23 Florida State
By Grace Gould | YesterdayThe weekend’s victories ended what has been a very strong regular season on a high note and cemented an undefeated home record.
