Every year of the Bennett era has had its highlights, but it is undeniable that the 2013-14 and 2018-19 seasons and teams were particularly memorable.
With the 2019-20 season brought to an unfortunate early close, the Virginia men’s basketball team will have to look ahead to next season to defend its national title.
Virginia advanced to its first Final Four since 1984 then made program history when it beat Texas Tech in overtime to win the national title. The Cavaliers did so in miraculous fashion, down by at least three points in the final 20 seconds of their last three games.
If Virginia does return to the NCAA Tournament, the Cavaliers will be a team no top seed will want to face.
Kickoff is at 8 p.m. Monday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Virginia will next face No. 6 Florida in the 2019 Capital One Orange Bowl Dec. 30.
The winner will face No. 3 Clemson in the ACC Championship game Dec. 7 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Cavaliers (8-3, 5-2 ACC) took down the Flames (6-5) behind a strong offensive performance.
With some inconsistency so far in conference play, this game presents an opportunity for the Cavaliers to put all three phases together and make a statement before the bye week.
With the win, Virginia is bowl eligible for the third consecutive season and is in the driver’s seat of the ACC Coastal, controlling its destiny the rest of the season.
