Virginia Basketball: Biggest Lessons Learned in ACC Play so Far

Another week, another set of dominating performances by the second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers.

Last week, the Hoos defeated Clemson and Boston College easily. At one time, both games were close until UVA went on dominant runs on both sides of the floor. The Cavaliers held Clemson to just 42 points. That's a fairly decent ACC foe, folks.

So, what's next for Virginia? The Hoos host Georgia Tech on Thursday before a trip down the road to Virginia Tech on Sunday. After that, Virginia has a bit of gauntlet to run with Duke, UNC and Louisville all within a seven-day span.

The Cavaliers are now 17-0 on the season and 5-0 in ACC play. UVA was tested in road wins at Miami and Notre Dame before winning both games late. What did those wins tell us about Virginia?

Here are some lessons we've learned about the Cavaliers thus far in ACC play.

Virginia Is Balanced Offensively

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Virginia guard Justin Anderson

Junior guard Justin Anderson leads Virginia in scoring, averaging just under 15 points per game. For most of the season, Anderson has led the Hoos in scoring. In Saturday's win at Boston College, Anderson struggled as he went 0-for-8 from the floor.

Virginia still won by 15 points.

Malcolm Brogdon, a first-team All-ACC pick last season, scored 20 points in the win over BC and appears to be rounding into form at the perfect time for Virginia. Brogdon has few holes in his overall game and is beginning to look like the player he was last year.

Forward Anthony Gill, center Mike Tobey and even point guard London Perrantes have taken turns in leading UVA on offense this season.

If not for Perrantes and his 26 points against Miami, the Hoos would have one loss on the season.

The Cavaliers Have Been Challenged and Responded Positively

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Malcolm Brogdon against Notre Dame

Before ACC play began earlier this month, the Cavaliers had not been challenged. However, their first conference game—at Miami—came at just the right time.

The Hurricanes took over the game late in regulation and deep into the first overtime. Behind Anderson and Perrantes, the Cavaliers fought back to take the lead and win by nine points in double overtime.

Then, one week later, Virginia traveled to then-No. 12 Notre Dame in what was supposed to be the Hoos' first loss. That didn't happen, either.

With four minutes left against the Irish, the game was tied before Anderson hit a three-pointer, triggering a 9-0 run. The Cavaliers never looked back.

Both challenges were good for Virginia. The Hoos needed to be tested before their tough run at the end of the month. Virginia was challenged, thwarted those challenges and now eagerly await Duke, UNC and Louisville.

London Perrantes Is Clutch

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Perrantes

The focus of most teams that face Virginia is to stop Anderson and Brogdon. If that happens, opponents figure they have a pretty good chance to win.

Enter London Perrantes.

The sophomore point guard got off to a slow start this season. A preseason foot injury caused him to miss some practice time and he appeared rusty. In fact, Perrantes went scoreless in three different games this season.

However, if not for Perrantes, UVA doesn't win at Miami. Perrantes also hit big threes in the wins over Clemson and Boston College. Last season, Perrantes hit several big three-point shots for Virginia.

When UVA needs a big shot, don't be surprised if Perrantes is the man who takes it. Oh, and he also has a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Cavaliers Are Still the Best Defensive Team in the Country

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Virginia coach Tony Bennett

This may come as no surprise to anyone, but Virginia is the best defensive team in the country. The Cavaliers have the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing 50 points per game. Louisville is the closest ACC foe to Virginia and the Cardinals allow 57 points per game.

UVA is No. 2 in the nation in field-goal defense, as opponents shoot just under 34 percent from the floor against the Cavaliers. That's first in the ACC by a fairly wide margin.

Virginia's pack-line defense will receive big tests against Duke and Louisville, led by Jahlil Okafor and Montrezl Harrell, respectively. Those two games will likely help determine where Virginia will be seeded when the ACC tournament commences in March.

As efficient as UVA is on the offensive end, the Cavaliers win games on defense. That's why they're a legitimate contender for the NCAA title.