Cavaliers return to defensive character in stopping Wolfpack

By Kenneth Cross
JerryRatcliffe.com Correspondent

Philosophy and drive are two main components associated with the No. 8 Virginia Cavaliers, and the rediscovery of each had to be accentuated after Virginia Tech took down Virginia, 74-68, in Blacksburg on Saturday.

The Hokies stopped a seven-game Cavaliers winning streak by shooting 50.9 percent from the floor as Virginia only allows its opponents to shoot at a 41.6-percent clip.

The rebirth took place on Tuesday night as Virginia stopped No. 22 NC State, 63-50, and the offensive-minded Wolfpack shot just 33 percent as the Cavaliers held them to 19 of 57 from the floor.

Coach Tony Bennett said that the object for the Cavaliers was to “prepare well” after the loss to Virginia Tech.

“Do what we do and double down on being tough and sound and committed on defense because I don’t think we have been that way,” said Bennett.

The recommitment on the defensive end started with facing a Wolfpack squad that is one of the best-scoring teams in the nation at 79.6 points per game (28th). Their 3-point game averages 8.4 makes per evening in about 23 attempts.

Defensively, Virginia minimized that portion of the NCSU attack as the Wolfpack made only eight of 27 3-point attempts. 

Minimizing the Wolfpack backcourt was one of the keys to winning on Tuesday evening. Reece Beekman drew star guard Terquavion Smith for most of the evening. Smith, NCSU’s leading scorer, led the Wolfpack with 19 points although he made only seven of his 20 field-goal attempts.

Beekman pointed at consistently staying on Smith’s hip to defend him as a way to keep him at just 35 percent from the field.

“He’s a great player and has the great shot-making ability,” said Beekman. “I know from the whole coaching staff and the players we took the emphasis on comes to guarding your man. I feel like we did a great job in doing that today.”

Holding Jarkel Joiner to five points on a 2-of-14 evening was also a major story in the game. He had averaged 16.4 points in his last five outings while he has turned into a steady guard, averaging 16.2 points per game this season. 

“Everyone has a role on this team,” said Jayden Gardner. “Everyone who is not playing is always told to stay ready.”

In addition to stifling Joiner, Virginia used its double team or trapping game in the post to limit big man D.J. Burns, who scored only eight points and brought down six rebounds in 21 minutes as he fought foul trouble.

Burns had scored 20.4 points and grabbed 5.6 rebounds per game in NC State’s last five contests as he is making 55.8 percent of his field goals on the season. Defensively, Virginia seemed to be forcing Burns’ catch higher than his normal spots in the low post.

“I thought D.J. never really got into a flow and I thought they obviously did a good job of taking him out of the game,” said NC State head coach Kevin Keatts. “Obviously, when he is out of the game, we become more of a perimeter team.”

The loss ended a four-game win streak for the Wolfpack although they are still 8-2 in their last 10 games as they are currently fifth in the stacked ACC standings. 

“They have an inside-outside attack with Burns and, obviously, Smith and Joiner have been playing terrific basketball,” explained Bennett. “We tried to be back, be ready, get into the ball, and try to be a little sounder and outlast and not yield like we did in the last game.”