The Virginia Cavaliers certainly made a statement on Friday, showcasing their prowess with a commanding 84-62 victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC Tournament semifinals. With the Spectrum Center buzzing, Virginia’s Ugonna Onyenso was the standout performer, delivering a stellar performance that left fans in awe.
Onyenso, the 7-foot senior from Nigeria, was a defensive powerhouse, following up his previous eight-block game with four more swats, altering nearly every Miami attempt in the paint. He also led the team with 17 points on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting. His efforts have already set a new record for blocks in an ACC Tournament, with 12 and counting.
Teammate Chance Mallory praised Onyenso’s impact, noting, “He’s a great player, great shot blocker. His presence allows us to play more freely, knowing he’s got our backs defensively.”
Despite starting center Johann Grunloh encountering foul trouble, Onyenso stepped up, playing over 27 minutes and keeping the Cavaliers grounded when their shots weren’t falling early on. By the 5:30 mark of the first half, both teams were struggling from beyond the arc, tied at 17.
Enter Thjis De Ridder, who took charge offensively. With 16 points and six rebounds, De Ridder’s aggressive drives to the basket helped ignite a 21-6 run, giving Virginia a 15-point lead at halftime.
Mallory, finishing with 12 points and a game-high six assists, capped off the first half with a steal and a buzzer-beating three-pointer, setting the tone for the second half.
Virginia's resilience was on full display after the break. Every time the Hurricanes threatened to close the gap, the Cavaliers responded, maintaining their double-digit lead.
Malik Thomas, contributing 15 points, emphasized the importance of countering Miami’s runs, saying, “Answering back was huge.”
With five players scoring in double figures, the Cavaliers delivered a performance that solidified their place in the ACC title game. Now ranked 13th on KenPom, Virginia has improved to 29-4 under head coach Ryan Odom, marking their ninth 29-win season and 11th ACC title game appearance.
Awaiting them is the winner of the Clemson-Duke matchup. A potential game against Clemson would be unique, as the teams haven’t faced each other this season. However, Odom expressed confidence in his team’s preparation, regardless of the opponent.
Grunloh, dealing with a wrist injury from the NC State game, played through pain, though Odom confirmed there’s no structural damage.
Virginia aims for its fourth ACC Tournament title, with the championship game set for 8:30 PM EST on Saturday. Fans can catch the action on ESPN.