In Clemson, SC today, Virginia looked very much like the team that the ACC writers picked to finish 11th in the preseason. Virginia played like they had already gotten their golf clubs and frisbees out of the closet as they prepare for the off-season, instead of a team that is still looking forward to a chance to play in the post-season. I honestly don’t think this team will win another game this year, and will be locked out of the NIT. Remember, you no longer have to be better than .500 to get in the second-fiddle NIT, and this team (lately) has been playing an awful brand of basketball which lead to their 5th straight defeat today.
Virginia’s coaching staff received no toughness in the post today and Mike Scott continued to think he is a perimeter player (much like Travis Watson did his fourth year) as he hoisted up long shots that had no chance of going in. The Hoos had only scored 32 points at the 6:50 minute mark in the second-half. Virginia’s passes were not crisp, their intensity and mental focus were non-existent. There appeared to be some sort of slippery salve on the damn ball for the Hoos today! The guys looked like they did not want to be there. Virginia did not give up in this game and did continue to fight down the stretch, but just did not have what it takes to get back from such a heavy early deficit. Both Virginia and Clemson committed 12 turnovers. The Hoos shot 35% from the field and 2-13 from three-point-land. Sene, Farrakhan, and Jeff Jones did not score a single point between them!
Clemson (19-7,7-5), who normally has a huge late-season swoon, has now won three in a row. Today, they were led by Jr. Center Jerai Grant who scored 18 points in just 24 minutes. Milton Jennings added 11, and Trevor Booker pitched in 18. Clemson shot 52% from the field and 6-17 from beyond the three point line. The Tigers grabbed 34 rebounds, as Virginia only snagged 31. Clemson went to the line 13 times and made 12 of them!
Virginia (14-11,5-7) scored 50 points in their last game, a loss to Florida State, and now a new low, 49 points in the loss today to Clemson. The Hoos had three players in double figures (Scott, Zeglinski, Landesberg) but no one really played well. Virginia only went to the line an incredible 7 times, and they made 5. Man, this one hurt. 49 points, really? Virginia stays on the road for their next contest as they travel to Miami to play the Hurricanes on Tuesday Go Hoos!
