Virginia basketball is reaching the final stretch of the season with January ending and nine games remaining. With not long to go before the ACC tournament and March Madness, let’s look back at the season and give it a grade up to this point.
Following an underwhelming 2021 campaign, hopes were high entering this season with some exciting new faces along with continuity. Ohio transfer Ben Vander Plas has proven a valuable new addition to the team, racking up 147 points to date. Fresh recruits such as Isaac Traudt, Isaac McNeely, Leon Bond, and Ryan Dunn are ripe with talent and have provided much-needed depth for the team.
Virginia started the season hot with an impressive eight-game win streak, catapulting them to No. 2 in the AP poll. Statement wins against No. 5 Baylor, No. 19 Illinois, and Michigan showed the improvement and potential of Coach Bennet’s 2022 squad. An improvement in defense and long-range shooting has led to more opportunities and has allowed Virginia to roll off some impressive scoring runs.
Facing up against No. 5 Houston in Charlottesville would prove to be the biggest test of the season thus far, and in the early stages, UVA was up to the challenge, running out to an early 15-7 lead. Unfortunately, multiple turnovers and failures to capitalize on rebounds allowed Houston to seize control of the game, going on to win 69-61. Virginia proceeded to drop their second game of the season to No. 22 Miami, 66-64.
With the exception of a 68-65 loss to Pitt, Virginia has gotten back to winning ways throughout the Winter, with the highlight being a win over arch-rival Virginia Tech; the sweetest moment of that game was when junior guard Reece Beekman blew past the defense for a slam-dunk to end the first half. UVA went on to win 78-68, a brilliant offensive performance.
A home victory over Boston College and road win against Syracuse catapulted Virginia up to No. 6 in the AP poll with a record of 17-3, 9-2 ACC. It’s hard to give Bennet and the Hoos anything less than an A for their performance this season. Excellency has become the norm for UVA basketball. I mean, finishing 21-14 last year was considered a massive disappointment, so it’s been fantastic to see this team get back to its best. With nine games remaining, they have a real shot at finishing first in the ACC and getting that coveted first seed.
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