Virginia hosts No. 21 Memphis in a ‘must-win’ scenario

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia heads into tonight’s game against No. 21 Memphis in a pivotal contest for the underdog Cavaliers (7 p.m., John Paul Jones Arena, “Orange Out” for fans).

UVA (6-4), is a 4- to 4.5-point underdog to an 8-2 Memphis team, which is coming off an overtime win at Clemson. The Tigers drubbed Virginia last season in Memphis and bring one of the nation’s most lethal shooting teams to Charlottesville.

Penny Hardaway’s Tigers are among the top five teams in the country in 3-point shooting, which could provide fireworks for the national TV audience (ESPN2) because the Cavaliers rank in the country’s top 50 in 3-point shooting as well.

This is a huge game for Virginia because it is likely one of the last opportunities for the Cavaliers to post a Quad 1 win over the remainder of the schedule. With the ACC being down again this season, only two ACC teams are ranked among the nation’s AP Top 25, Duke and Clemson. Memphis is the next-to-last nonconference opponent remaining on UVA’s schedule (American U. is the last).

With Virginia trying to build a postseason resume, one could say tonight’s game is a “must win” for the Cavaliers.

It won’t be easy, but Virginia’s defense, ranked among the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense (60.2), will have to contend with a talented Memphis roster, particularly guards Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty and Colby Rogers. That trio scored a collective 57 points against defensive-minded Clemson, including 60.7 percent from the field and a whopping 61 percent from the 3-point arc.

“I thought their shot-making was elite,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said afterward. “Smart players, too. Very smart. They space you. When you over-help, the ball is kicked and they’re shooting tough shots. I mean those dudes, they’re all guys that go get 25 (points).”

If Memphis has a weakness, it’s turnovers, where the Tigers own one of the nation’s worst turnover ratios. But they’re not alone. Virginia’s turnover margin is also among the worst (No. 310) in the country.

Sophomore Dai Dai Ames, who missed the last game nursing an ankle injury, has practiced this week and is expected to be available, which could help Virginia get into its offensive flow and reduce turnovers.

Fans are encouraged to wear orange for tonight’s “Orange Out,” as the team will be wearing orange uniforms for the first time in years.