Virginia moves back into AP Top 10 with Syracuse coming to town

By Jerry Ratcliffe

When Virginia fell behind by 11 points to visiting Georgia Tech on Saturday night, none of the Cavaliers were reaching for the panic button.

After the Cavaliers cut into Tech’s lead and were battling it out in the final moments, the same held true. No panic.

“I’ve been in probaby a million two-point games with one minute left in my five years here,” senior Jay Huff said. “It’s pretty freaking ridiculous, actually. But for some of the first years, that’s something that they’ve got to get used ot.

“So I think we just learn from it. It helps to grow you as a player being involved in those type of late-situation games.”

Virginia fans can easily remember their Cavaliers pulling out several Thriller-Dillers over the past 10 years, which has helped each class of younger players gain confidence in those situations.

Huff and his teammates are hoping they don’t have to sweat out another last-second game tonight when No. 8-ranked Virginia hosts Syracuse in an ESPN Big Monday showcase game (7 p.m. tip).

Syracuse is 9-4 overall, 3-3 in the ACC, and coming off a win at Virginia Tech where the Orange went on a 20-4 run late in the game to blow out the Hokies. Virginia has won six straight after losing to No. 1 Gonzaga and the Cavaliers are 6-0 in the ACC, 10-2 overall, which has put Tony Bennett’s team back in the AP Top 25’s top 10 for the first time since early season. UVA is the highest ranked team from the ACC.

Its a quick turnaround for the Wahoos against Jim Boeheim’s unique 2-3 zone defense. Virginia is 7-2 against Syracuse since the Orange joined the ACC, so Bennett’s teams have had success against Boeheim’s defense.

“I’ve never played against a zone like this,” UVA senior Sam Hauser said. “It’s different from the ordinary 2-3 zone. We worked against it a little bit in practice last week.”

Huff has faced Syracuse several times and has a good working knowledge of the unique 2-3.

“I’ve played against it a fair amount,” Huff said. “The way our ‘Green Machine’ works, they try to get us ready for that zone, so I think we’re well prepared.”

Huff was referring to UVA’s scout team in practice, which simulates an upcoming opponent’s offense and defense.

Huff and Hauser combined for 40 points in the Cavaliers win over Georgia Tech and will be key figures in tonight’s game.

One of UVA’s keys against the Orange in the past has been the “playmaker” position, which features a designated Cavalier player situated around the high post, free throw line area. The player takes a pass and reads the zone, deciding whether to pass, drive or shoot.

Former UVA player Mamadi Diakite was a key figure in running that “playmaker” spot. Kihei Clark has executed well from that position this season.

Virginia had a four-game winning streak against the Orange snapped last season at JPJ when Joseph Girard and Elijah Hughes combined for 37 points to beat the Cavaliers, 63-55 in overtime. Buddy Boeheim, the coach’s son, added 14 points as Syracuse made 12 3-pointers in the win.

Oddsmakers have made UVA a 6-point favorite in the game.