The Virginia Cavaliers are on a tear, winning seven straight and 12 of their last 14. With a 23-3 record overall and 11-2 in the ACC, they’re looking to widen the gap between themselves and Miami, the third-best team in the conference. The Hurricanes, sitting at 21-5 and 10-3 in the ACC, head to JPJ for what promises to be a thrilling matchup on Saturday.
Virginia is riding high after a dominant performance against Georgia Tech, where they held the Yellow Jackets to single digits until late in the first half and stretched their lead to as much as 38 points. The Cavaliers were on fire from beyond the arc, hitting 14 threes, and controlled the boards with a 17-rebound advantage.
Under Ryan Odom, the Cavaliers have been focused on winning, and their recent blowout victory could provide a boost as they enter a challenging three-game stretch. While teams like Duke and North Carolina have been in the spotlight, Miami has quietly built an impressive resume in Jai Lucas’ first year as head coach. The Hurricanes have won four straight, including a solid victory over UNC and close calls against NC State and Virginia Tech.
Miami leads the ACC in field goal percentage at 50.5%, with five players shooting 31% or better from three-point range. Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson are the key offensive players, with Reneau averaging 19.7 points per game and Donaldson contributing 16.4. Donaldson, a standout passer, is averaging nearly six assists per game.
The game tips off at 2 PM on ESPN2, with Wes Durham and Randolph Childress on the call. Here’s what to watch for in this matchup:
Can UVA Neutralize Ernest Udeh Jr. on the Glass?
Ernest Udeh Jr., a 6-foot-11 senior, is a force on the boards, though he hasn’t been a significant scoring threat recently. He grabbed nine rebounds against Virginia Tech and eight against NC State, with double-digit performances against ranked teams like UNC and Clemson.
Averaging 9.5 rebounds per game, Udeh is just behind Duke’s Cam Boozer in the ACC. UVA will need to be physical and maintain strong positioning to limit Udeh’s impact and control the rebounding battle.
Dallin Hall and Chance Mallory’s Defense Against Tre Donaldson
UVA’s defense was stellar against Georgia Tech, holding them to 38% shooting and just 27 points in the first half. Miami’s offense, which usually averages 83 points per game, hasn’t surpassed 77 in their last four outings.
Tre Donaldson is crucial to Miami’s offensive flow, dishing out five-plus assists eight times in conference play. However, he managed only two assists in his last game.
Hall and Mallory will need to contain Donaldson, forcing him to score inside where Ugonna Onyenso, a formidable shot blocker, awaits.
With the court inside JPJ being named after Tony Bennett before the game, the Cavaliers might be inspired to deliver another defensive showcase. This contest is expected to be a physical battle, particularly in the frontcourt.
A win would bring Virginia closer to a potential conference-deciding clash with Duke next weekend. Expect a close game, with the Cavaliers edging out a victory, fueled by the home crowd and strong performances from Sam Lewis and Jacari White.