The Virginia basketball team enters the NCAA Tournament this week with 29 wins to its credit. That was enough to earn a No. 1 seed in the field again and the Hoos take on Gardner-Webb on Friday to open tournament play.
With the Hoos looking for another 30-win season and trying to make the Sweet 16, that’s a great time for another “Ask The Sabre” segment presented by AskLandis.com. We round up a few panelists to answer fan questions about the Cavaliers.
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Sabre Editor Kris Wright, Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne, and the AskLandis.com’s Brandon Lloyd provide the answers in this edition.
Ask The Sabre
1. I’d like to resubmit my 3-point defense question. Why are we good? Luck, skill, or personnel? Weight on each? ~ Haney
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: You’re right to assume it’s a little bit of each of those things, though I don’t attribute much to the luck end of things. Yes, opponents miss some open looks – opposing coaches sometimes have said that UVA’s defensive reputation might be contributing on those but who knows – but the biggest reason opponents shoot a low 3-point percentage against Virginia is due to skill and personnel. The skill part can be attributed to the repetition that the Hoos put into defense. Closeouts, in particular, are a skill that must be executed at a high level in the Pack-Line scheme because players are moving inside to outside to cover passes so the anticipation to get to a potential shooter on time and with footwork under control is definitely a skill. Personnel, of course, can enhance those skills. Take De’Andre Hunter and his 7’2” wingspan as an example. He can get to a shooter’s release point from farther away than someone else.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: Coaching and personnel/skill are the primary reasons, but of course there is always a little luck involved when teams get open shots and miss them. Tony Bennett’s emphasis on defensive fundamentals – quick closeouts, hands high, etc. – is a huge part of it. Personnel is key as well. Virginia needs high IQ players who can execute the Pack Line and deliver those fundamentals consistently. The Cavaliers also generally have size and length, making it challenging to shoot over.
AskLandis.com’s Brandon Lloyd: I think it can be attributed to a combination of a lot of things. First off, Virginia plays an aggressive style of halfcourt defense that can make it tough for teams to shoot the 3 against them – UVA closes out and tries to be at the shooter on the catch. I think the personnel that Coach Bennett has in place mixes a guy like Kihei Clark that can get up in you and guard the heck out of you for 30 seconds, alongside guys like Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter who will be physical with you and contest every shot you take. Teams falling behind by double digits also helps a bit as teams will find themselves having to shoot 3’s quicker or in more volume than normal just to try to creep back into the game.
2. Teams who go far in this tourney usually have “spurtability.” We can go on scoring spurts (Cavalanches) if our defense is clicking and we are making shots. But the teams who usually do well in the tournament create spurts through other means, such as forcing turnovers, scoring on the fastbreak, and getting a ton of second chance points. By design, we don’t seem to do those things, and so when we go cold from the field (which happens to a lot of teams in tournaments), we stall.
My question is this: is there anything this team can do (within the confines of Tony Bennett’s system) to help when the shots aren’t falling? I seem to remember on rare occasions Tony using an extended halfcourt trap. Anything else you know of that we could try if we go cold? ~ lawhoo1819
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: We’ve seen some 3/4 court pressure at times this year, but that’s more of a rhythm changer than what you’re describing. UVA’s post trap can create turnovers like Ty Jerome’s steal and runout layup against NC State in the ACC Tournament, but if teams don’t put the ball in the post then you can’t trap it. A few times in the past, Virginia has elected to trap sideline ball screens instead of just using the typical hedge and recover technique. On the offensive end, the Hoos could send more players to the glass if they really need to bust a slump and trust the players who do get back to slow down any transition. The biggest way to stop slumps and create spurts on offense, however, is to get to the free throw line and make both.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: It starts with defense: getting stops and forcing turnovers. The Hoos can’t let a bad stretch of offense impact what they do on defense. If Virginia can force some turnovers, then it can push the ball up the court for some easy baskets if the opportunity is there. Virginia will push the ball when the opportunity presents itself. I think the Hoos will look to do more of this, without forcing the issue of course, to try and get some easy baskets. Additionally, more pick-and-roll, attacking the basket on drives, and more De’Andre Hunter and Mamadi Diakite in the post would help.
AskLandis.com’s Brandon Lloyd: The halfcourt trap has worked a bit for UVA this season and Kihei Clark’s ability to defend the whole length of the floor also helps turn teams over at times. Not sure if it is completely out of Coach Bennett’s nature, but I would like to see them push the ball a bit more (outside of Braxton Key going 1-on-1) to get more chances on fastbreaks like you are mentioning. Whether it is Ty Jerome getting a steal and having De’Andre Hunter or Mamadi Diakite getting up the court quicker, or them finding rhythm shots early in the shot clock instead of setting up their normal offense. Not sure you will see this, but you’re right, in my opinion, come the Sweet 16 into the Final Four portion of the bracket, they could need spurts like that.
3. Gardner-Webb will use the UMBC game as a blueprint on how to beat us. What should we change from last year? Then, do we pound the ball inside first or do we go with a very small lineup? ~ Arrow03
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: The UMBC game wasn’t rocket science strategy on how to beat Virginia. If a similar situation is unfolding where the Hoos are struggling on offense, however, I’d like to see them feed De’Andre Hunter in the midpost area to try to break any slumps and get to the free throw line. That wasn’t an option last year obviously. The other change would be not to let momentum get you out of character. When UVA fell behind early in the second half, it looked like a lot of tournament upsets look – trying to force the issue and make it all up at once instead of getting stops and executing for good looks.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: I don’t think you want to stray from what you do best, so the big things for me include being tougher on defense plus coming out with laser focus and a lot of energy. After last season, if they don’t come out with these things, that’s concerning to me.
I think it’ll be important for Virginia to establish an inside presence against Gardner-Webb, and I expect the Hoos to do just that led by De’Andre Hunter in the post. He’s Virginia’s most reliable inside scorer, and, at 6’7”, he has a height advantage over Gardner-Webb’s primary inside defenders, DJ Laster (6’6”, 225) and Brandon Miller (6’6”, 240). So long as Hunter stays out of foul trouble, he should feast inside, which should open things up for Virginia on the perimeter. I think Ty Jerome will be able to drive and have good looks around the basket. Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key could have good days on the boards and in terms of points.
Playing with a lot of energy on both ends and playing intelligently and with confidence are the basic things I’m looking for, though. I thought UVA was flat against UMBC last year, and then in the second half lost sight of its defensive fundamentals.
AskLandis.com’s Brandon Lloyd: I don’t think you can change much besides the mindset that anyone can beat anyone due to the fact that UMBC just shot the ball lights out. Having a healthy De’Andre Hunter this season will make a difference offensively and defensively as he will be able to guard anybody on the court, and will use his mid-range/slashing ability to score on their undersized players. I still think you will see UVA focus on its outside shooting as that is what has propelled it lately (minus the FSU game), but also use a hot Jack Salt and Mamadi Diakite and Jay Huff to mix things up, something they were unable to do so against the Seminoles.
4. True/False: As Ty Jerome goes, so go the Hoos. ~ CalmHoo
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: I’ll say true and false. Virginia has shown it can win a game this season without Jerome and it has shown it can win games without him making lots of shots. So that part is false. It’s true in the sense that Jerome is the best assist man on this team and if he has an unusual high turnover game, that could be an issue. Plus, he’s arguably the emotional leader of this team so how his emotions go could create a similar temperature for the whole team.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: Not to dodge the question, but … it depends. I do think UVA can overcome poor shooting performances from Jerome and advance, at least against lesser teams. What Virginia can’t overcome, though, is if Jerome is making poor decisions and turning the ball over. The Cavaliers need him to be rock-solid consistent in those areas in every game to do well.
AskLandis.com’s Brandon Lloyd: I say absolutely true. Jerome can score, rebound and dish out assists, which is what UVA will need to make a deep run in the tournament. He is the floor general and knows how to get his teammates involved but also when to take over a game and either get to the basket for the floater, or pull up from 25 feet to drain a three. He will need to be dialed in and erase his ACC Tournament performance.
5. How do we consistently run the offense through De’Andre Hunter on or around the block? And will we run if we have numbers? ~ foxtrott
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: UVA has a bunch of different ways to get De’Andre Hunter touches. It can use him as a blocker in its motion screening offense and then have him turn into a post-up spot just off the blocks. It can use him as a screener in its ball screen offense and then instead of feeding him on a roll, bring the ball back to that side and feed him there. It can use its triangle motion offense and have him sit down just off the blocks as well. In the ACC Tournament, the Hoos started to set a UCLA screen (a screen moving up the floor for a player on the elbow area) to get him some space to dive toward the post area. Lots of options.
For the most part, with some fullcourt pressure situations being an exception at times, the Hoos run opportunistically with numbers.
6. How do we counter the propensity of recent teams to look for offensive rebound instead of getting back on defense? ~ bookhoo
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: That depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. If the concern is being out-numbered on the glass, you have to make sure your guards are finding their box-outs as well. If you’re looking to punish a team for sending extra numbers to the offensive glass, you can try to push out and run off of defensive rebounds but I don’t think UVA would choose that option often.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: After the Florida State game, I think Virginia’s focus needs to be on gaining control of the defensive glass and not allowing second-chance opportunities. It doesn’t matter how good UVA’s defense is if teams are able to get offensive boards and score second-chance points. Now, if UVA does get control of the boards and teams are out of position, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hoos push the ball some and at least explore the potential for easy scores. Preventing the offensive rebounds is most important, though.
7. What will Tony Bennett do with team to fortify/relax them mentally this week? ~ SCWAHOO
Sabre Editor Kris Wright: That’s actually been an ongoing thing this season. There have been little hints on social media of the team playing games together, coaches and players, when on the road. I’d expect more of that type of approach if there are any concerns about tight nerves for the NCAA Tournament. I actually don’t think this team needs that as much as some, though.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne: I think Coach Bennett has done all he can to try and help free his players up to just play – as he said last week, last year has been talked about enough, it’s time to “press on.” All season long Coach Bennett has shared the message of giving it your all but knowing you’ll be okay if the result isn’t what you want. Still fight like crazy to win while knowing that losing a basketball game isn’t the end of the world. These messages from Bennett are great. In the end, though, it’ll be up to the players to play well, forget about last year, and “press on” to try and accomplish what they want.
I suspect the coaches and players are doing all they can in terms of preparation to make sure they are ready to come out focused and energized Friday afternoon.
