Key matchup for UVA-Tech tonight: Beekman vs. Pedulla

By Jerry Ratcliffe

If Virginia hopes to extend the nation’s second-longest home winning streak tonight against Virginia Tech (7 p.m., ESPNU), the Cavaliers are going to have to find a defensive answer for the Hokies’ red-hot Sean Pedulla.

Tech’s guard has scored 91 points over his last three outings, including a career-high 33 in a loss to Miami over the weekend.

Could it be that fans are in for a classic battle, a game-within-a-game, between Pedulla and UVA point guard Reece Beekman, the defending ACC Defensive Player of the Year, who is expected to take on the task of containing the Hokies’ sharpshooter?

Should that be the case, Beekman is likely going to need some defensive help, because Tech also boasts another guard who has the potential to light up the scoreboard in Hunter Cattoor, who is averaging 13.5 points per game and shooting 47 percent from the field.

Cattoor’s playing status was unknown early Wednesday as he has been recovering from an apparent concussion after he was kicked in the head at Clemson a week ago. Cattoor missed the Miami game while in concussion protocol.

“He’s got some tests and some markers he has to achieve before he’s cleared to play on Wednesday,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said during the ACC coaches teleconference on Monday. “I don’t know any more than that. Time will tell if he’s in uniform on Wednesday.”

Both teams are not exactly coming into the game riding a wave of success. Tech (10-6, 2-3 ACC) has lost three of its last four games. UVA (11-5, 2-3) has also lost three of its last four, but is unbeaten at home this season at 9-0, and has won its last 19-straight games at John Paul Jones Arena.

Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers have been a different team at home, where they clobbered Syracuse and a nationally-ranked Texas A&M team (which recently upset Kentucky) last month. UVA has recently struggled to score.

“Obviously, we’re having a hard time putting the ball in the basket,” Bennett said during the teleconference. “But you’ve got to take quality shots that you get, and some of those have to be mid-range because of either how [defenses] are playing us or that’s what presents itself. You can’t say, ‘We’re going to shoot all 3’s and all layups.’ The game dictates it. How a team guards you will determine those kinds of shots that you get.”

Pedulla, who was named ACC Player of the Week for his offensive tear, hasn’t had any difficulty putting the ball in the basket.

“Pedulla is having a typical career-year … it’s his best year,” said Miami coach Jim Larrañaga. “He’s enjoying that confidence and success that comes along with it. He’s a very skilled player. I’m really impressed with him. I think with Cattoor, they’re even more of a threat.”

Should Cattoor be available, Virginia’s defense will have to pay great attention to the Hokies from 3-point range. Cattoor is Tech’s all-time 3-point king and Pedulla can not only score the 3-ball, but can also drive to the basket as a three-level scorer.

Virginia has been a different animal at home in terms of making 3’s and defending 3-pointers than it has on the road.

At JPJ, the Cavaliers are making 40.3 percent of their shots from Bonusphere as opposed to the road, where they are shooting a mere 26.3 percent from the arc.

Conversely, Virginia is allowing opponents to make only 24 percent of 3-point attempts at JPJ, but on the road, opponents are making 42 percent of their triples.

Certainly, the Cavaliers need to revert back to their home defensive form for tonight’s clash.