Article UVA Game

Georgia Tech vs Virginia

Abdoulaye Gueye’s improvement is a big reason for Georgia Tech’s 3-1 ACC start (photo credit to USA Today

Thursday night at McCamish Pavilion, the Virginia Cavaliers, the #2 team in the country, come to town…of course, ice and snow permitting. Virginia is 16-1 on the season and 5-0 in ACC play. They currently sit atop the ACC standings but might be moving back after a battle with the #3 team in the ACC, the Duk…..Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Leading the Cavaliers is Seth MacFarlane’s long-lost brother, Tony Bennett. The two-time National Coach of the Year and in his 9th season at Virginia, Coach Bennett is the other half of Coach Pastner’s get old, stay old motto with Notre Dame’s Mike Brey. Tony Bennett is known for his grind it out defense and working the clock for a good shot on offense. While this type of game plan does not attract the 1 and done guys, UVA has been able to land those four-star players that are super talented but need 3-4 years of development to go pro or be a really solid college basketball player. So far this year, it is no different. The Cavaliers are still playing rock solid defense, but they added something that was missing in the past…offensive weapons, and even scarier…from multiple different players.

To start it off, I will begin with probably the most notable player on the UVA roster. Even though he has let down thousands of people on Twitter by shaving off his man bun, the 6’2” sophomore #5, Kyle Guy is still a fan favorite. Guy is averaging 15.5 points per game and is shooting 44% from behind the arc. If you need a reference, think of Fletcher Magee from Wofford. He can flat out shoot the ball, plain and simple. Now that you have wiped off your sweat following Magee flashbacks, we can continue breaking down Kyle Guy. He has added a nice pump fake and pull up if you close out too strongly on three-point attempts, along with a nice floater if he gets closer to the rim. Defensively, he has been improving and is now constantly sliding his feet, moving over to take a charge and getting those slap down steals that lead to fast breaks. Due to his size, it will be interesting to see if Tech tries to get Tadric on the block against Guy. Especially with a good defender in Devon Hall focusing on Okogie.

Speaking of Hall, #0, he is one of the biggest pieces for Virginia as a 6’5” redshirt senior. The lefty is averaging 12.5 points per game and is shooting 47% from three. He usually plays the 3 in the lineup and can do a little bit of everything for UVA. Hall has nice court vision, hits open shots, and plays tough defense all game, as you will see is a trend for all these Virginia players. Not much more to say. Hall will play hard and get the job done. Every. Single. Night.

Here comes the “Human Highlight” #21, Domin….Isaiah Wilkins. The 6’7” senior out of Greater Atlanta Christian Academy, previously known as “oh hey, that’s Dominique’s kid” during the first two and half years of his career at UVA, is now a vastly improved, above average ACC player. He has always had the athleticism and energy, but has finally put it all together. If you don’t believe me just look at college hoops and one of GTSwarm’s posters favorite’s, Jon Rothstein’s twitter. Book it. It seems like every game he tweets “Isaiah Wilkins, ultimate glue guy” and that is what he is. His defense is spectacular and at the moment, I say he wins ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Now that he has added an offensive game, he is a serious threat and someone that needs to be held in check.

The other guard for UVA is the 6’5” sophomore out of New York #11, Ty Jerome. Even though he was rated a 4-star by most of the services, I believe he is severely underrated. As you might be shocked, he is sound player that does a lot of things right (they have those at UVA?). He can shoot it, play defense as he loves to get the poke from behind steals, and works the ball around to the open teammate. It seems like he is always the one to make the extra pass to Guy in the corner for the three and assist. Despite not wearing any accessories or having the “off the bus factor”, Ty Jerome is a baller.

The big man for Tony Bennett is #33, Jack Salt. Not only does his name sound like some fake name celebrities use when booking a reservation, but the 6’10” redshirt junior out of New Zealand has a lot of skill. He feeds off of drop-off passes in the paint for the two-handed jam and hits the backside offensive glass for easy put backs. He has a huge frame much like Purdue’s Isaac Haas and is a force down low. You are not going to move him out of the way, and if he boxes you out like he typically does, you might as well start running back on defense. Though, an area where Salt struggles is with fouling. He tends to hack and reach when he does not need to. If Lammers or AD are at the line a lot tonight, Tech should be in an advantageous position.

The wild card for Virginia is the redshirt freshman out of Philly #12, De’Andre Hunter. The 6’7” wing who was upset that he had to redshirt last year, has come out with a mission in his first campaign. If you could go to a factory and design a body type for a wing, Hunter would be the model to use. With the help of his athleticism, he has brought some needed change of pace and high-flying action to Charlottesville to go along with the great defense and ball movement already established.

The two other players that typically round out the UVA rotation are 6’1” grad transfer from Rutgers #23, Nigel Johnson, along with 6’9” redshirt sophomore #25, Mamadi Diakite. Out of the two Johnson is the shooter and Diakite is the slasher. Diakite’s jump shot is still a work in progress, but his vertical needs no work. Like Hunter, he comes off the bench with energy and tries to get some fast break dunks to extend the lead while the starters get a little rest. When Johnson comes in, he is in there to keep the offense moving, make the smart upperclassmen choices with the ball, and hit the open shot when available.

Prediction: Georgia Tech will have a lot on their plate, but offensively it is setting up for Tadric Jackson to break out. He is due, and I have a “Boston College from last year” feeling about this game. If he can slash and get into the lane, or on the block/high post against Guy, I like Tech’s chances. Georgia Tech will also need Alston and Alvarado to hit open threes on the wing when we swing it, along with Haywood when he is in there. I will be surprised if Okogie has a big game, but if he does, I will feel confident in a W. With all this considered, I still can’t bring myself to picking them…them as in Virginia. Tech by 6. *cue Pastner pumping up the crowd as he walks into the tunnel after the game*

 

[ilovetheoption]

This is something I wish we did a better job of. Our big guys don't really hedge as much as they just switch for a second and then try to scramble back to their man. Last night was a little different in that we switched on virtually every screen, which is a strategy I didn't disagree with given the amount of movement in UVA's offense.

But UVA does a great job of redirecting the ball handler on on-ball screens, allowing their guard to recover, and then retreating back to their man. It's not a switch, it's literally a wall to cut off the ball handler and limit his options off of the screen. I know we don't play man a ton (although we have more lately), but if we're going to continue, I think this is an area in which we can improve.

The real guy I like to watch is the help guy. The who is showing on the roll guy while the big is hedging and the guard is recovering.

He has to show hard enough on the roll to discourage the ball handler from throwing the lobby, and still be able to close out on the wing 3 after the big recovers. It's really really hard and we do it better than anybody.

 

[YlJacket]

To beat the way UVA plays pick and roll, you can't lob the ball as the help will be there. You have to make a quick pocket pass to the roll guy recognizing he will have to take a dribble or two to get all the way to the basket. We did it twice to AD (quick pass) and he couldn't make it work.

 

[RamblinRed]

UVA GAME REPORT CARD:
Coaching — "C". With the 4 days (and two practices on Monday) since Pittsburgh game, I would have thought CJP would have put in some special plays/movement that VA had not seen. Also, I was waiting for full-court or 3/4 court press to disrupt the negative flow of game — maybe it works against us, but we needed something instead of watching a slow death going from 8 points to 18 point deficit.
Lammers — "D". Maybe for Defense, but actually for disappointing. Started with strong block party, but overall, he played like a shy freshman. Concerned his funk is going to continue. He lacks any aggressiveness on offense, or any leadership role. He's not a natural leader; he has quiet leadership with his performance, but his funk is not leading the way. More TOs than points. Missed FTs. UGHly.
Gueye — "B". He just didn't get the opportunity. I liked his aggressiveness toward the end. He should have been given more opportunity to bring activity to the paint for possible offensive rebounds — a potential weakness of VA defense.
Okogie — "D". I think he's the most talented, game-changing player on the floor for a majority of games. But he disappears. It's perplexing. He has the ability to slash and slice when he can't rise over a defender, and seems to be TOO passive. Last night was another example of his "Ghostkogie" — just disappearing.
Jackson — "B". He had his way on many drives. Had some frustrating turnovers, and missed his two 3s. If he had other reliable threats on the floor, his grade would have improved.
Alvarado — "C". LOVE his toughness and willingness to take it to anyone (sure it gets blocked some time, but he puts pressure on a defense) — I wish Lammers had some of his attitude. 1-7 shooting and 5 TOs, but he shouldn't have the leadership burden as a FR in this game — it's on Lammers and Okogie.
Alston — "C-". Not much playing time, and mostly ineffective.
Haywood — "B+". Encouraging shooting touch, and active defense. My knee-jerk complaint is his movement without the ball to try and get himself open for more shots; might be product of system. One addt'l observation is he still seems hampered by the shin injury; there is a strange hobble to his stride.

One correction. Jose only had 3 TO, he had 5 assists. Lammers had 5 TO. I'd probably give him a C+ or B-. Outside of shooting he really had a pretty good game - 6 rbs, 3 stls, 5 assists.
Don't disagree with your overall assessments. I've seen people complain that Ben only took 5 shots, but he looks in his head right now. He had a couple of good opportunities and didn't even look to take a shot.
Okogie was strangely quiet. Didn't really try to force any action until the game was all but decided.
Haywood is at the very least not at 100% in terms of conditioning, can't decide if he still has a leg issue or if it is just his gate.

I'd like to see a few more min for AD. He is really close on offense. He fumbled away at least 1 chance to score and took too long to make a move on another. But his footwork is really pretty good in the post. I also think they gave one or two blocks to Ben that may actually have been AD. They were a very difficult duo to score against inside early in the game.

UVA did a great job of taking away our best players and saying beat us with someone else.

 

[Peacone36]

Like those shorts

 

[alagold]

I didn't see the game but saw the stats.I saw the last uva game and wondered if we AT ALL could beat there immediate double-team on any down pass --18 TOs and 10 assts--guess not.
on Ben--I saw the 1st half vs ucla and we haven't seen anything much close to that kind of shooting confidence /performance--ankle? still a problem?

 

[RamblinRed]

I didn't see the game but saw the stats.I saw the last uva game and wondered if we AT ALL could beat there immediate double-team on any down pass --18 TOs and 10 assts--guess not.
on Ben--I saw the 1st half vs ucla and we haven't seen anything much close to that kind of shooting confidence /performance--ankle? still a problem?

Pastner talked about Ben last night. He said it is all between his ears right now.

 

[dtm1997]

Pastner talked about Ben last night. He said it is all between his ears right now.

He also said Ben has the green light to take 20-30 shots if it helps him get in a rhythm and bust out of this funk.

 

[orientalnc]

I am hoping all our guys can relax a bit. I think UVA's defensive reputation got in their heads. They seemed tight from the very beginning possessions Thursday night.

 

[jacketup]

One correction. Jose only had 3 TO, he had 5 assists. Lammers had 5 TO. I'd probably give him a C+ or B-. Outside of shooting he really had a pretty good game - 6 rbs, 3 stls, 5 assists.
Don't disagree with your overall assessments. I've seen people complain that Ben only took 5 shots, but he looks in his head right now. He had a couple of good opportunities and didn't even look to take a shot.
Okogie was strangely quiet. Didn't really try to force any action until the game was all but decided.
Haywood is at the very least not at 100% in terms of conditioning, can't decide if he still has a leg issue or if it is just his gate.

I'd like to see a few more min for AD. He is really close on offense. He fumbled away at least 1 chance to score and took too long to make a move on another. But his footwork is really pretty good in the post. I also think they gave one or two blocks to Ben that may actually have been AD. They were a very difficult duo to score against inside early in the game.

UVA did a great job of taking away our best players and saying beat us with someone else.

Another correction to OG-T's post is that Jackson was 0-3 from three point range.

As someone posted before the game, UVa would try to take Okogie out of the game offensively, which would open things up for Jackson. Give UVa credit for doing that, and not so much blame on Okogie.
By the same token, Jackson should have had a good game. However, Bennett correctly assessed that Jackson isn't good enough offensively to beat them by himself.

Alvarado has to be more of a scoring threat. He will lose minutes to Devoe next year if he doesn't. The perimeter could be Devoe/Haywood/ K.Moore or Sjoland by conference play, with Alvarado looking in. Of course, he played 40 minutes against UVa, so some reduction is in order.

Every GT player had a negative rating on SCACC Hoops site--except Haywood, who was 0.

 

[orientalnc]

How would you react if everything you did at work got a public thumbs up or down by people who didn't really understand your job?