PHILADELPHIA - Virginia basketball found itself in familiar territory against Tennessee, trailing by five at halftime just like in their opener against Wright State. The Cavaliers fought back, taking a brief lead with 1:51 remaining thanks to a clutch three-pointer from Thijs De Ridder. But Tennessee's precision from the free-throw line ultimately sealed the 79-72 victory, ending UVA's season in Philadelphia.
The Vols unleashed a 12-0 run in the first half, pushing the score to 28-20, while the Cavaliers endured a scoring drought of over five minutes. Despite trailing by five at the break, Virginia clawed back within three points in the second half after a Sam Lewis three-pointer. However, defensive stops proved elusive, preventing them from gaining control early in the second half.
Thijs De Ridder was a standout, taking charge in the second half. After a quiet start, he found his rhythm, scoring 17 of his 22 points post-break.
His leadership was evident when he directed Malik Thomas to get open, leading to a successful jumper. De Ridder's defensive play also sparked a key moment, leading to a Johann Grünloh dunk.
With 4:44 left, De Ridder tied the game at 66 with two free throws, and his three-pointer gave Virginia a fleeting one-point lead with under two minutes to go.
Chance Mallory's hustle was another highlight. His relentless pursuit of loose balls, including a crucial dive in the final minutes, and his six rebounds were vital during UVA's rally.
However, scoring inconsistency plagued Virginia. The Cavaliers suffered through a couple of extended droughts in the first half, including one lasting over five minutes, allowing Tennessee to gain an edge.
Their offense struggled to find rhythm, often facing the shot clock without an open look. Despite hitting three consecutive threes to go up 20-16, they faltered when Johann Grünloh, uncomfortable shooting from deep, ended a possession empty-handed.
Virginia's game plan to attack the paint didn't materialize effectively, as they shot just 5-for-16 on two-pointers and were outscored 18-8 in the paint during the first half.
Free throw shooting also hindered their efforts, with UVA managing only 55% from the line, going 6-of-11 in a tight contest.
Despite the loss, there were positives. Virginia out-rebounded the top rebounding team in the country 23-18 in the first half and limited turnovers to just seven for the game. Sam Lewis, despite struggling offensively early, played solid defense alongside Dallin Hall, helping to hold Tennessee to zero fast-break points.
Hall, affectionately dubbed "Captain America," epitomized hustle and leadership. He contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and kept his teammates focused during tense moments.
In the end, while Virginia showed flashes of brilliance, Tennessee's consistency and free-throw shooting proved decisive.