The Virginia Cavaliers didn’t just win on Tuesday night - they handled Pitt. From the moment the ball tipped, this was a different kind of performance from a team that’s been grinding out results lately. Virginia’s 67-47 win was the kind of wire-to-wire dominance that fans had been waiting for - and frankly, the kind of win that can recalibrate a season.
Let’s break down what made this performance stand out, from the long-awaited return of the three-ball to a defense that turned up the pressure early and never let up.
A Statement Win When They Needed It Most
Let’s be honest - Virginia’s last few outings, even the wins, have been a little too close for comfort. A blown 16-point lead against UNC, double OT against Notre Dame, and a sluggish seven-point win over Boston College had fans wondering when we’d see the Cavaliers put together a complete, comfortable effort.
Well, Tuesday night was the answer.
Virginia took control early with a 12-0 run in the first half and never looked back. Pitt never got within striking distance after halftime, and UVA calmly closed out a 20-point win that felt even more lopsided than the scoreboard showed. The ‘Hoos knocked down seven threes in the second half and turned the ball over just twice after the break - a clean, composed performance that showed what this team can look like when it’s firing on both ends.
Sure, Pitt isn’t one of the ACC’s heavyweights this year, but that doesn’t take away from how important this win was for Virginia’s momentum. After a stretch of nail-biters, they finally got the kind of game where they could breathe - and maybe remind themselves just how good they can be.
Defense Set the Tone - and the Offense Followed
Pitt actually jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the early going, but that didn’t last long. Virginia’s defense flipped the switch, and the game flipped with it.
The Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run sparked almost entirely by defensive pressure. Four straight buckets came directly off Pitt turnovers - a classic example of defense turning into offense.
Malik Thomas knocked down a jumper after Chance Mallory picked a pocket. Mallory then scored on a fast break following a steal by Thijs De Ridder.
Devin Tillis cashed in a three after an offensive foul, and Sam Lewis followed up with a triple of his own after Jacari White swiped a pass.
And just to cap it off, Ugonna Onyenso swatted a shot that led to another Mallory layup, completing the run that gave Virginia control - and they never let it go.
By halftime, the Cavaliers had racked up six steals, five blocks, and 12 points off turnovers. That’s how you build a lead without needing to shoot the lights out - though, as we’ll get to next, UVA had that part covered too.
The Three-Ball Finally Falls
Virginia’s perimeter shooting has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately - and not the fun kind. Coming into Tuesday, they were shooting just 31.5% from deep in ACC play, ranking 13th in the conference.
Over the last three games, the numbers were even more brutal: 22-of-79 from three, good for just 27.8%. Against Boston College?
A chilly 4-of-23.
But against Pitt, the Cavaliers rediscovered their rhythm. They knocked down 11-of-31 from beyond the arc - 35.5% overall - and finally looked like the team that ranked top-five in the ACC in three-point percentage early in the season.
Take out Jacari White’s 0-for-7 night (more on him shortly), and the rest of the team shot a scorching 11-for-24 - that’s 45.8%. It’s the first time they’ve hit double-digit threes in regulation since mid-January, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The confidence was back, the ball movement was crisp, and the looks were clean. If this version of Virginia’s offense sticks around, they become a much tougher team to game-plan for.
Balanced Scoring Is Becoming a Calling Card
Thijs De Ridder has been Virginia’s offensive engine all season, and even on a night when he took just seven shots - his fewest in the last eight games - he still posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double. But what stood out most was how many other guys stepped up.
Sam Lewis led the way with 15 points. Mallory added 11 off the bench on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting night.
Malik Thomas chipped in 10. In total, four Cavaliers scored in double figures, and every player who saw the floor got on the board - except for White, who had a tough night shooting.
Even with the bench contributing just 19 points - a dip from their season average of 29.5 - the versatility in scoring was evident. Seven players had at least two made field goals, and the offense flowed without needing to lean too heavily on one guy.
That kind of depth becomes a huge asset come March, especially when defenses start keying in on primary scorers like De Ridder. If Virginia can continue to get contributions from up and down the roster, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
Jacari White Still Finding His Way Back
There’s no question Jacari White is still working his way back from the wrist injury that sidelined him in late December. He showed flashes in the previous game against Boston College - 8 points in 17 minutes on 3-of-5 shooting - but Tuesday was a step back.
White went 0-for-8 from the floor, including 0-for-7 from three. He’s still wearing a brace on his wrist and clearly doesn’t have full range of motion, which is affecting his shooting mechanics and confidence.
This is the same player who hit 12 straight threes earlier in the season - so the potential is there. But right now, it’s clear he’s not fully himself.
The silver lining? He’s still getting minutes, still taking shots, and still playing aggressive defense. If he can regain even part of his shooting form in the coming weeks, it could be a game-changer for Virginia’s ceiling.
Bottom Line
This was the kind of win that can settle a team. Virginia looked in control, confident, and connected - and they reminded the rest of the ACC that they’re not just grinding out wins, they’re capable of dominating too.
With the offense clicking, the defense swarming, and depth showing up across the board, the Cavaliers looked every bit the part of a top-20 team. If they can build on this and get White back to full strength, Virginia could be gearing up for a strong stretch run - and maybe more.