Virginia's Dominant Performance Sets Stage for Duke Showdown
In Charlottesville, Virginia's Cavaliers showcased a near-perfect blend of defense and offense, cruising to a 90-61 victory over NC State at John Paul Jones Arena. This performance underscored why they're a formidable contender, with the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
NC State coach Will Wade summed it up aptly: "Virginia’s a great team. They can go to the Final Four. … They steamrolled us."
The Cavaliers' defensive prowess was evident from the start. Johann Grunloh set the tone by blocking three shots in the opening minutes. Coach Ryan Odom then brought in Ugonna Onyenso, who continued the defensive onslaught with two more blocks, stifling NC State's attempts to find any rhythm.
Virginia's defense was relentless, forcing NC State to miss 14 of their first 15 shots and holding them to a mere 18.2% shooting in the first half. The Cavaliers took advantage, racing to a 15-3 lead and closing the half with a commanding 32-19 advantage.
Quadir Copeland, NC State’s standout point guard, was neutralized by Virginia's defense, scoring just four points in 22 minutes as he battled foul trouble and relentless pressure.
“Our guys did a phenomenal job,” Odom praised his team’s defensive effort, which included a season-high 12 blocks-eight by Grunloh and four by Onyenso. This performance catapulted Virginia to second nationally in blocked-shot rate at 16.6%, according to KenPom.
The game took a physical turn early in the second half when a scuffle between UVA’s Sam Lewis and State’s Darrion Williams resulted in technical fouls and the ejection of NC State's Scottie Ebube for leaving the bench. However, this altercation had no bearing on the outcome, as Virginia was already in control.
The Cavaliers’ offense ignited in the second half, shooting a blistering 70% and racking up 58 points. They dominated in transition, outscoring NC State 24-10 on fast breaks, and showcased their depth with a 32-5 advantage in bench points.
Thijs De Ridder led the charge with 19 points, supported by Sam Lewis and Jacari White, who combined for 31 points on efficient shooting. Even in the final moments, Virginia kept the energy high, with Elijah Gertrude's dunk adding an exclamation point.
Wade acknowledged the gap between the teams, admitting, “Virginia has better players and coaches. In a 10-game series, we might get lucky and win one.”
Despite NC State's recent successes, including a decisive victory over North Carolina, they couldn't match Virginia’s level of play. The Cavaliers are firmly in contention at the top of the ACC, with their eyes set on a pivotal clash against No. 1 Duke.
Duke, fresh off a dominant win over Notre Dame, has been nearly unbeatable at home, boasting a 13-0 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium. With a win over Virginia, they could secure the top seed in the ACC Tournament.
As Coach Odom put it, “We’re just going to do what we always do, and that’s get ready for the next one.” Saturday’s showdown with Duke promises to be a thrilling test of Virginia’s readiness for the postseason.