The 3-point field goal threat is alive and well for Virginia

By Kenneth Cross
JerryRatcliffe.com Correspondent

Inside of an offense with the dynamics that coach Tony Bennett employs, the respite of the 3-point field goal will always be a key for the Virginia Cavaliers to attack their opponents.

However, last season was a tough year from behind the 3-point line, as Virginia shot only 32.3 percent overall, which was 257th in college basketball. In addition, the Cavaliers were last in the ACC in finding only 4.9 triples per game.

While it’s only two games into the 2022-23 season, Virginia has shot the three at 48 percent, good for 17th in all of college basketball as of now, and in Friday night’s 89-42 romp of Monmouth, the Cavaliers made 13 of 25 baskets from long distance. 

“I think we needed some depth at the two-guard spot with (Isaac) McKneely, we have more depth this year and you can see, they all can help us,” Bennett said.

Virginia hit a 21-4 run midway through the first half, as McKneely tied the game at 13-13 on a 3-pointer off the left baseline and then gave the Cavaliers the lead for good as he found his spot on the left baseline once again. 

What is important is seeing how the players on this team look for each other inside of its offense on the 3-point line. Ohio University transfer Ben Vander Plas fed McKneely with assists on both of the triples.

“On the offensive end, I think we just moved the ball really well tonight,” noted McKneely. 

Midway through the run, Ryan Dunn found a triple off the right wing and then guard Kihei Clark made a move with one dribble and nailed his version of the three, as Virginia took a 27-17 lead,

“They wore out and I think we started flying around and playing hard defensively, and we turned some turnovers into points,” explained Bennett. “You love that when the guys make the extra pass.”

Virginia’s defense fed into its 3-point game, as the Cavaliers forced 21 Monmouth turnovers and scored 35 points on those. 

Spreading the floor and players looking for each other off the pass were a huge component of Virginia’s offensive attack and also in tiring the Hawks, who had lost to Seton Hall two nights before.

“I think they got tired and we found some openings,” noted Bennett. “ I don’t have any complaints as far as how they worked today after the first five minutes.”

McKneely made four triples and was 5 of 8 from the floor as he led Virginia with 15 points, while three other Cavaliers made multiple 3-point field goals. 

“He’s got deep range and you can really see him elevate, and that would be helpful for our team this year because last year, that’s hard, and again it’s good to see that,” said Bennett.

Eight of Virginia’s 13 threes came off the bench, as Ben Vander Plas and Taine Murray joined McKneely and Dunn with those triples. After Armaan Franklin’s shooting performance in the win over North Carolina Central, this team has the capability to pick up each other on the 3-point line with varying substitution patterns.

“He (McKneely) thought he played a little more comfortable today than in the last game,” said Bennett. “The competition was a little different, but you never know what you’re gonna get.”