What: No. 25 Virginia Cavaliers (20-6, 7-5 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (15-12, 4-8 ACC)
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Date: February 21, 2012
Place: Cassell Coliseum
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network
Spread: Virginia -2; Pomeroy: Virginia 56, Virginia Tech 53 (64%)
Last Meeting: Virginia 45, Virginia Tech 47
Last Time Out: Virginia Tech 74, Georgia Tech 73
Series: Virginia leads 81-53
In the last meeting between these two teams, senior forward Victor Davila was stuck to Mike Scott like glue, and while the stats don't show it, he was probably the biggest factor in effectively shutting down the big man. He has missed the last two games, though, and is listed as a game-time decision today as a result of a groin injury, for which he received an MRI today.
Virginia made a total of 15 baskets during the last meeting between the two teams. That...must get better. There's really nothing more to say and no other way of saying it. You don't win games on 32.6% shooting.
Virginia Tech's game notes say that an "interesting side note" is that of the Hokies' 11 active scholarship players, only three had meaningful action in past previous seasons, and five of them are freshmen. You know what I consider to be an interesting side note? That of Virginia's nine active scholarship players, one has a broken ankle and one has a broken hand. This is why we can't have nice things.
I also love this tidbit, from Virginia's game notes. "70 is a magic number" -- this is a "story line" that the media relations folks have been using since last year. Under Tony Bennett, in games where the Hoos have scored 70 or more, Virginia is 24-2, as opposed to 27-35 when failing to reach 70. But now, with this new and improved team, the media relations folks have dubbed that "60 is the new 70." Virginia is 16-0 this season when scoring at least 60 points, and 4-6 when failing to do so.
Big game for Virginia tonight. Some consider this a must-win, others do not. Everyone agrees that I will personally rage out if we don't get the job done.
Leave your pre-, in- and post-game thoughts here and Go HOOS!