CHICAGO – After Virginia’s Sweet 16 victory against Iowa State, the box score showed several players made big contributions to the 84-71 victory. A more subtle line belonged to sophomore guard Devon Hall, who tallied 5 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot while also providing solid defense away from the Georges Niang-Monte Morris combo.
The Sabre caught up with Hall for a “Quick Take” and he commented on the team’s mentality going in, the offensive performance, and the upcoming Elite Eight game against Syracuse.
Talk about the early in the game and the ball movement of the team? You hit an early 3-pointer to get the team going and the team got up 26-9?
Devon Hall: Coach Bennett always preaches to get off to a strong start. It was huge for us. We knew that they are a high firepower team. It was critical for us to get an early cushion. It is funny, it seemed like a road game so it was important to get off to a strong start and limit their transition because we knew they were going to go on runs.
Can you talk about the offensive approach today? You were sharing the ball with 26 assists, and did a great job breaking the press at the end of the game? What was your mentality?
Devon Hall: Patience. Coach wants us to make smart plays and move the ball to get good shots. The ball movement speaks to our unselfishness as a team. If everybody can get touches on the floor it speaks to our unity and that is what coach preaches. At the end of the game we were able to get a number of two-on-ones and three-on-twos to break the press and extend the lead.
How about the performance from Mike Tobey on offense? He had 18 points and continues to be making a big impact over the last few games.
Devon Hall: It was a heck of a game from Mike. We are so proud of him. We know it is in him. It is a matter of him staying fiery. He has been playing really well. When he is playing like that, playing hard, he is really really big for us and we just try to stick right behind him.
What did Coach Bennett say to the team coming into the game against such an efficient offensive team? What were the keys defensively?
Devon Hall: Coach wrote on the board “Nothing Easy” and that was our mentality going into the game. For each and every play and for each and every player, we just want to make them earn it.
They usually get a lot of transition buckets so being able to set our defense was important and getting back was big today. In general, we just try to shut teams out and make it frustrating. We try to make every catch and every ball screen tough, to sniff it out if they are driving to the lane, and make it as tough as possible.
How did you guys specifically approach Georges Niang?
Devon Hall: It was huge to limit him early on. He is super versatile and a unique player. We knew he was going to make shots. Isaiah did a heck of a job early on making him earn everything and whatever he had. It is a matter of making every single shot tough for him.
What does it mean for the team and the program now to be in the Elite Eight?
Devon Hall: It is humongous. It is super special especially after not being able to get to this point last year. Now it is time to get rest and for the coaches to do their scouting for Sunday so we can get back and get prepared.
