By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia will step up a notch in competition tonight when the Cavaliers take on host Texas as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.
The Cavaliers (6-1) are a 2.5-point underdog to the Longhorns (6-2) in a game that begins at 9:15 p.m. (Eastern, ESPNU). After Tuesday night’s results, the ACC leads the Challenge, 6-3, a great improvement over last season when the SEC dominated 14-2.
“We’ve got to play harder and it’s got to mean a little bit more,” Ryan Odom said. “The guys understand that because the competition is going to continue to increase as we go about the season. So, the guys understand and are excited about where they’re headed, but certainly not satisfied about with where we are right now.”
UVA’s lone loss came to Butler in The Greenbrier Tipoff. The Bulldogs are presently 7-1 with the best overall record in the Big East and have won four games in a row.
Texas lost to Duke early in the season and then dropped a close game to Arizona State in the opening round of play at the Maui Invitational. However, the ‘Horns bounced back with two, high-scoring wins in Maui, the last game a 102-97 decision over No. 23 NC State. Texas has been idle since that game on Nov. 26.
With Virginia ranked No. 29 in the NCAA’s first NET rankings this week (Texas is No. 69), Longhorns coach Sean Miller anticipates a high-scoring game because the Cavaliers have put up some impressive numbers this season as well.
“Our rebounding is going to be challenged and our bench is going to be challenged,” Miller said. “[Virginia] plays with pace and we play with pace, so we have to do a really great job of making good decisions and taking care of the ball.”
Texas averages 90.9 points per game, while Virginia is putting up 87.6 per contest under Odom, a huge contrast from last year’s Cavaliers team of 64.8.
The Longhorns have four players averaging in double figures, led by Dailyn Swain (16.5), 7-footer Matas Vokietaitis (15.5 and 7 rebounds), and Jordan Pope (12.1). Pope scored a season-high 28 points against NC State and made 7 of 13 attempts from the 3-point arc.
Virginia is led by freshman Thijs De Ridder (18 points per game), followed by Malik Thomas (13.4) and another freshman in Chance Mallory (11.3). Sam Lewis also averages in double digits at 10.4.
