For Virginia basketball head coach Tony Bennett, getting a win on Senior Day “means everything. You always try to play for your seniors. There is a lot of emotion, of course, and to do what we did was special. I remember doing that with past groups, but to come to half court and just look those three Seniors in the eye and say, ‘Thank you’ – you could see how much it meant to those guys.”
Virginia honored captains Devon Hall and Isaiah Wilkins as well as Bennett’s first-ever graduate transfer, Nigel Johnson, on this Senior Day. Hall and Wilkins, who along with redshirt junior center Jack Salt were named captains by Bennett in October of 2017, started all 30 games this season. Johnson, a key reserve point guard, earned the first start of his Cavalier career.
Johnson contributed the game’s first point at the foul line. While this would prove to be the only point he would score in 16 minutes of action, he helped harass Notre Dame’s talented guards Matt Farrell and T.J. Gibbs on the defensive end and came through with an assist to Mamadi Diakite that gave the Hoos a 3-point lead during a key stretch in the game’s final 10 minutes.
As has been the case more times than not this season, Hall and Wilkins had their fingerprints all over Saturday’s 62-57 victory over Notre Dame. Hall’s nine first-half points helped the Cavaliers to a 32-27 halftime lead. With his team trailing 44-41 in the second half, Hall responded when it mattered most. The Virginia Beach native assisted on three of UVA’s next four baskets before taking the scoring duties upon himself, pouring in eight consecutive points. Hall’s final basket put the Hoos up 57-54 with 3:03 remaining.
“I didn’t want to lose,” Hall said. “I just wanted to stay aggressive.”
Hall finished with a team-high 17 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and only one turnover in 37 minutes. Defensively, the 6’5” senior helped hold Farrell to nine points on 3-of-15 shooting (3-of-11 from 3).
“I thought [Devon] Hall was fabulous,” Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said. “Every time we put a little game pressure he made a big play and Tony [Bennett] has done a fabulous job with this group and they’re really good. We don’t want to see them in Brooklyn (in the ACC Tournament).”
Wilkins’ stat line was this: Eight points, six rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one block. The senior forward was an integral part of a Virginia defensive effort that held Notre Dame to 35.8% shooting for the game. On his team’s biggest defensive stand of the game, Wilkins was simply outstanding.
Notre Dame had possession with fifty-four seconds remaining, trailing by just two. In case you missed it, here is the result of said possession (video below courtesy of ACC Digital Network. Click here to view VirginiaSportsTV’s highlights and the full defensive stand beginning at 5:18 mark.) …
How did @UVAMensHoops seal its win against Notre Dame? What else: Defense. pic.twitter.com/Cpmu3nXg5X
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) March 3, 2018
Throughout his career, Cavalier fans have seen Wilkins’ heart and defensive ability every time he takes the court. Saturday was no different. The 6’7″ senior has given blood, sweat, and after this game was over, tears for this Cavalier program. Showing his fire and determination during the game, Wilkins walked off the JPJ court for the final time visibly emotional.
“It’s just special, it’s been a really special time for me here,” Wilkins said postgame. “I love all of these guys. It’s just been a great four years and this is a great way to go out, I was really happy with it.”
The usually stoic Hall admits he “almost let loose” his emotions before the game, especially when his godmother sang one of the better National Anthems you’ll hear. The fifth-year senior has worked his way into a potential first-team All-ACC selection since arriving in Charlottesville. His work resulted in a stellar final performance inside JPJ, and postgame he was grateful to end his final home game on a good note.
“For the most part I did (keep emotions in check), walking out there with my family and holding my jersey up, that stuff sinks in,” Hall said. “It’s a special for moment for me and my family. I’ve been here for five years and I can’t ever play here (JPJ) again, so it’s a special moment.”
“Being able to come out of here with a win, it’s special, man,” Hall added. “It touches me.”
