Virginia Basketball: Biggest Lessons Learned During Nonconference Games
In their last game out, a week ago, the Virginia Cavaliers defeated Harvard, 76-27, to improve to 11-0 on the 2014-15 season. On Monday, the Hoos moved up to No. 3 in both polls.
While much of the nation's attention is focused on Kentucky and whether or not the Wildcats could defeat the the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, Virginia is quietly proving to be one of the nation's best teams.
The Cavaliers have just one game remaining on their nonconference slate, a home game against Davidson, before opening up ACC play on Jan. 3.
Virginia has little to prove before its ACC opener at Miami. The rigorous conference schedule should provide the Cavaliers with their first real test of the season.
Here are four lessons we've learned about the Hoos so far this season before ACC play opens on Saturday.
The Cavaliers Are the Best Defensive Team in the Country
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Virginia is No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense. The Hoos allow just 46 points per game. Kentucky is second, allowing almost two full points per game more than Virginia.
That is dominant, folks.
And it isn't as if Virginia has been in cupcake city thus far in the 2014-15 season. Virginia went on the road in back-to-back games and defeated Maryland and VCU by 11 and 17 points, respectively. Both teams beat Virginia last season.
The Hoos have held three teams under 40 points and two teams under 30 points this season. Head coach Tony Bennett's pack-line defense is as strong as ever.
Justin Anderson Has Become a Star
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Before the 2014-15 season kicked off, Virginia fans knew that Justin Anderson was one of the more exciting and athletic players in the conference. Fans knew he played strong defense and brought plenty of energy off the bench.
However, former All-ACC guard Joe Harris graduated and the Cavaliers needed a strong scoring threat opposite of Malcolm Brogdon.
Anderson has delivered.
The 6'6" junior leads Virginia in scoring and is shooting 60 percent from three-point range, having connected on 24 of 40 from beyond the arc.
And Anderson is still the same athletic marvel that plays tremendous defense.
If Virginia can win the ACC again in 2015, Anderson will get consideration for ACC Player of the Year.
Virginia Has Yet to Be Challenged
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Before the season, the defending ACC champions appeared susceptible to an upset before ACC play began. After all, the Cavaliers needed to find out who would replace Harris and big man Akil Mitchell.
VCU and former ACC rival Maryland, both of whom beat Virginia in the 2013-14 season, were supposed to be Virginia's biggest tests before ACC play.
Both teams proved easier than expected.
The Hoos dominated the Terps from the beginning and never trailed en route to a 76-65 win in College Park. Then, just three days later, Virginia traveled to Richmond and easily dispatched VCU, 74-57.
Will Virginia's lack of a true challenge hurt them when the Hoos travel to Miami to face the 9-3 Hurricanes on Saturday?
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Virginia Is Dominant on the Glass
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Virginia currently averages 40 rebounds per game. Opponents are averaging just over 25 boards per game. The Hoos are averaging 14.2 more rebounds per contest than their opponents. That's good for third in the nation.
The best thing about this Virginia squad is that it doesn't have one dominant rebounder. Everyone, including the guards, rebounds well.
Center Mike Tobey and forward Anthony Gill lead the Cavaliers in rebounding, with both averaging seven per game. Darion Atkins and Anderson average five per game, while Brogdon averages four.
The scary thing about the Hoos: Tobey is averaging just 18 minutes per game. He's shown a more assertive side this season, which makes an already dominant team unstoppable. The more Tobey plays when ACC play begins, the more Virginia will dominate on the glass.
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