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Monday Motivation: December 22

Basketball cruised this week...both men's and women's.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Now that soccer is totally over (WOOOO NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!), the weeks are a little less full of Virginia sports awesomeness. Luckily, we have basketball to hold us over.

The women's team played three games this week, winning all three handily. Associate head coach Kim McNeill stood in for head coach Joanne Boyle, who was finalizing an adoption. We wish you the best, Coach Boyle!

First up was 0-8 Longwood, who were easily dispatched 91-49 by the Hoos. All five starters for the Cavaliers reached double digits, and Sarah Imovbioh notched 25, a season high for her, as well as 15 rebounds for her fifth double-double in nine games.

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Next up, Virginia took down Saint Mary's 62-49 behind 20 points from third year Faith Randolph. The game was close down the stretch, but a late basket by Imovbioh and some clutch free throws solidified the win.

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Lastly, the Hoos beat down Howard 74-53, despite some carelessness with the ball.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVa?src=hash">#UVa</a> WBB really getting into this season of giving thing tonight. Cavs have seven turnovers, only lead Howard by 3.</p>&mdash; Andrew Ramspacher (@ARamspacher) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARamspacher/status/546807476382097408">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Faith Randolph scored 26 to lead the Cavaliers, who go into their pre-holiday break with a 9-2 record. Imovbioh added 21 of her own. Next up, the Hoos host Davidson on 28 December at JPJ for the Holiday Inn University Area Cavalier Classic.

Virginia's No.5/6 Men's Basketball team took to the hardwood twice this week, and left no question in anyone's minds.

After their long and very successful road trips to the Barclays Center (champs, baby!), Maryland, and VCU, the Hoos returned home to the super friendly confines of John Paul Jones Arena (17 straight home wins, baby!) for two games.

On Thursday, Virginia handily defeated the scrappy Cleveland State, winning 70-54. Justin Anderson and Malcolm Brogdon each contributed 16 points to the affair, and Anthony Gill added 13 of his own. The Hoos shot 50% from the field in their first game in 12 days (exam break), and held the Vikings to just 36.5% from the field.

Oh, and Malcolm Brogdon went full Hollywood with not one, but two dunks. Bob Knight would NOT approve.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I think Uncle Malcolm is done clowning around</p>&mdash; Damon Dillman (@DamonDillman) <a href="https://twitter.com/DamonDillman/status/545741573083103232">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Sean Singletary came by to take in the game, and got a standing ovation from the UVA faithful.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Always love seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/UVAMensHoops">@UVAMensHoops</a> Great <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanSingletary">@SeanSingletary</a> in the house! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wahoowa?src=hash">#wahoowa</a> <a href="http://t.co/v0XJwQBYGz">pic.twitter.com/v0XJwQBYGz</a></p>&mdash; Matt Riley - UVa (@uvasportsphotos) <a href="https://twitter.com/uvasportsphotos/status/545777858241900544">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Check out the game highlights below.

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Also, this happened.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Well done. <a href="https://twitter.com/UVaHooCrew">@UVaHooCrew</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NolteFace?src=hash">#NolteFace</a> <a href="http://t.co/0nijew8FFN">pic.twitter.com/0nijew8FFN</a></p>&mdash; Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) <a href="https://twitter.com/cwdarney/status/545728571466330112">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote>

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And this.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Caption This Photo...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash">#GoHoos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UVAMensHoops">@UVAMensHoops</a> <a href="http://t.co/WbtVeGlpx4">pic.twitter.com/WbtVeGlpx4</a></p>&mdash; Matt Riley - UVa (@uvasportsphotos) <a href="https://twitter.com/uvasportsphotos/status/545767260141658113">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

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On Sunday, Virginia faced No.29 (KenPom) Harvard in a tough matchup before starting conference play.

It didn't turn into that tough of a matchup.

The Cavaliers dominated decimated pummeled owned embarrassed crushed the Crimson 76-27.

No, not a typo.

They scored 27 points.

The Hoos held Harvard to one lone field goal in the first half. Is that good, you ask?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Harvard&#39;s one first-half field goal tied NCAA record for fewest FG in a half in the shot clock era. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVa?src=hash">#UVa</a></p>&mdash; Jerry Ratcliffe (@JerryRatcliffe) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryRatcliffe/status/546749166245130241">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Harvard didn&#39;t have its best half. Virginia leads the Crimson 39-8 at halftime. Even Kentucky is impressed: <a href="http://t.co/9OphLZUY4t">pic.twitter.com/9OphLZUY4t</a></p>&mdash; SB Nation CBB (@SBNationCBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationCBB/status/546725250101436417">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Uva defense is responsible for 2 of the lowest halves. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PackLine?src=hash">#PackLine</a> <a href="http://t.co/2ZSi0nJkt5">pic.twitter.com/2ZSi0nJkt5</a></p>&mdash; Wyatt (@HOOriKANE) <a href="https://twitter.com/HOOriKANE/status/546729644029120512">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Mike Tobey had himself a day, scoring the first nine points of the game and finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his second career  double double. He went 6-6 in the first half and 3-3 from the free throw line.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mike Tobey is here to eat bacon and score baskets. And we’re all out of bacon.</p>&mdash; michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelpRTD/status/546717151475032066">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Brogdon created an impressive stat line for himself with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, and yet another dunk. Most impressive, however, was Uncle Malcolm's performance on the defensive end, holding Harvard sharp shooter Wesley Saunders (was No.3 in KenPom) to just four points on 0-7 shooting from the field. He had come into the game averaging 20.1 points per game. I think Grandma Brogdon might be happy he chose UVa. now.

The Hoos held Harvard to 16% shooting, the lowest Virginia has ever held an opponent to. Ballads have been written for less.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Incredible stat for UVA basketball: Harvard starters were a combined (1-32) from the field today. <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCBB">@ESPNCBB</a></p>&mdash; Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/546748342924238849">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Sorry if we ruined your game viewing...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPN?src=hash">#ESPN</a> announcers seem to have run out of things to say, so they are talking about JFK Jr. and Mark Zuckerburg. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HARVvsUVA?src=hash">#HARVvsUVA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVA?src=hash">#UVA</a></p>&mdash; DeanJ @ UVaAdmission (@UVaDeanJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/UVaDeanJ/status/546734074057195520">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>they’ve spent like five minutes talking about facebook look what you did virginia you broke espn</p>&mdash; martin rickman (@martinrickman) <a href="https://twitter.com/martinrickman/status/546734024010379264">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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You want highlights? We've got highlights from the fantastic VirginiaSportsTV folks.

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The win was impressive, and made a statement that is being heard loud and clear.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Virginia just beat Harvard --- the clear favorite in the Ivy League --- 76-27. No other words are needed.</p>&mdash; Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/546738373483040768">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Time to put Virginia in the conversation as one of the handful of teams that should be in contention to win the national title.</p>&mdash; Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAndyKatz/status/546745335109148673">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Virgina thinks the 44 pts Kentucky gave up yesterday was cute.</p>&mdash; Jeffrey Fann (@TalkinACCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinACCSports/status/546744609918189569">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/TheUVAFool">@TheUVAFool</a> Who&#39;s the best team in the country? ESPN is on it… <a href="http://t.co/YaT6t0pjaE">pic.twitter.com/YaT6t0pjaE</a></p>&mdash; Brian Jordan (@jordanbrianl) <a href="https://twitter.com/jordanbrianl/status/546739596243918848">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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There was also a guest in the house for Virginia...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p> <a href="http://t.co/5NSfncGZCd">pic.twitter.com/5NSfncGZCd</a></p>&mdash; Sacha Killeya-Jones (@The_SKJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_SKJ/status/546729094872719361">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVa?src=hash">#UVa</a> definitely picked a good game to have top recruiting target Sacha Killeya-Jones come visit.</p>&mdash; Whitelaw Reid (@WhiteysWorld365) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteysWorld365/status/546732499586797568">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Well done to the sell-out crowd and the super loud Hoo Crew for making JPJ an impressively loud place three days before Christmas!

The Hoos host Davidson at 6pm on 30 December. Get out to JPJ and get loud!

Quick shout out to Chargers WR Dontrelle Inman who had seven receptions for 79 yards...all his first in the NFL...in a come from behind victory over the 49ers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UVa?src=hash">#UVa</a> alum <a href="https://twitter.com/mrinman15">@mrinman15</a> who had his first career 7 receptions for 79 yards in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Chargers">@Chargers</a>&#39; OT win over SF <a href="http://t.co/0Vdql0kSij">pic.twitter.com/0Vdql0kSij</a></p>&mdash; Virginia Football (@UVa_Football) <a href="https://twitter.com/UVa_Football/status/546535489399193600">December 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

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As always, GO HOOS!