Mamadi Diane has been a strong perimeter defender all season for the Hoos.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Much of the pre-game hype prior to the Albany-Virginia game in the NCAA Tournament focused on what was expected to be a backcourt battle. Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds have been headliners for the Cavaliers all season long, while the Great Danes’ Jamar Wilson has starred as the America East’s two-time Player of the Year. The Hoos’ defense took the drama out of the match-up on Friday, however, hounding Wilson throughout en route to a blowout win.

Sure, Wilson put up good statistics – 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go with 3 assists. The guard had little impact on the game’s outcome, though. Much of his success came with Virginia leading by 20 or more points and he had trouble creating consistently for his teammates as well. Simply put, the Cavaliers’ defense – led by Mamadi Diane and J.R. Reynolds – clamped down on the Bronx star and he never found his rhythm as his team fell 84-57.

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