The downtrodden and reeling Wahoos return to action Wednesday night at the JPJ against the Seminoles of Florida State (18-7, 6-5). Virginia needs to stop the bleeding on their season. Poor shooting and defensive lapses as well as slumping performances by Zeglinski and Landesberg need to be reversed if Virginia stands any chance against the Seminoles.
Virginia (14-9, 5-5) got blown up by a trio of All-ACC guards in the past several games with Vasquez scoring 30 and Ish Smith and Malcolm Delaney almost scoring at will against the truly dispassionate Hoos. Fast forward to tonight, and the Hoos must stop the big man from Nigeria Solomon Alabi, the Seminoles leading scorer with 12.5 points a game. It could get ugly early for the Hoos if Alabi gets going inside against the very much undermanned Wahoos. Virginia is not really known for their big men, and most of their inside points come from Landesberg’s drives to the basket. That could also be difficult with the 7-1 251-pound Alabi in there directing traffic and blocking shots. Especially if the refs have their whistles firing early, which has been a huge problem for the Hoos this season. Both Landesberg and Meyinsse have had some really odd fouls called on them so far this year.
Florida State has beaten Virginia three of the last four times including a brutal loss for the Hoos last season at the JPJ (73-62). The Seminoles can also kill from the perimeter with Chris Singleton, who is the ACC steals leader this season. Virginia often really struggles with a guy as quick as Singleton and absolutely must avoid early foul trouble.
Coach Bennett has got to get the Hoos back to playing with passion, something that has been painfully missing from the lineup the last week. Look for Sammy to return to scoring in double figures this evening and finally get things going again. The Hoos have only two players averaging in double-figures this season (Scott, Landesberg) and have had trouble finding a consistent third option.
I think Virginia plays a much better game tonight and wins 73-70. I would love to send Leonard Hamilton home a loser. He’s the creepiest coach in the conference. Look at him tonight. Watch how he prowls the sidelines, giving out free scowls to all that will take them. Go Hoos!
