Monday Motivation: Virginia basketball teams pick up big conference wins

They were thisclose. Actually closer than that, but I can’t make the words any closer together. Both Virginia Basketball teams had impressive victories this week, it’s almost spring sport time, and Malcolm is still a boss. Let’s get to it.

Rapid Fire

-In case you missed it, the Women’s Basketball team brought the pain to #19 Virginia Tech, winning 76-27. Nope, not a typo. 76-27. Enjoy these highlights:

-Malcolm continued adding to his poster collection, this time obliterating Nerlens Noel.

-Virginia Lacrosse traveled to College Park on Saturday afternoon for a five quarter scrimmage against Maryland. The Hoos more than held their own as the played the high-tempo game of new head coach Lars Tiffany, taking the game with an unofficial 17-15 score.

Dan Aburn from Inside Lacrosse was at the game and was impressed particularly by second year midfielder Ryan Conrad, saying, “Midfielder Ryan Conrad had the most notable performance, being the Cavaliers' most useful player in almost all facets. He played on the wing on face-offs, played defensive midfield, cleared the ball by himself, and — being one of Virginia's more capable dodgers — managed to score a couple of goals.”

The Hoos are preseason #14 in IL’s Faceoff Yearbook, and open their season on February 11 at #5 Loyola.

-Welcome back, Simba. We’ve missed you here making these plays.

-Shoutout to Eric Smith for representing Virginia in the Reese’s Senior Bowl!

-A trio of Wahoos from the USWNT - Emily Sonnett, Morgan Brian, and Becky Sauerbrunn - had a big week dropping off the new women’s soccer cleat by adidas. Check it out:

Team of the Week

Even with the * whispers * loss to Villanova, the Virginia Basketball team had a great week. On Tuesday, the Hoos headed to South Bend and used a strong second half to soundly defeat #14 Notre Dame 71-54. Notre Dame was previously undefeated at home and the 54 points they scored was the lowest point output of the season for the Irish.

The Hoos shot 46% from the field in the game, including 47% from three. London Perrantes - despite having the flu - went off for 22 points and made five of his eight three point attempts. Isaiah Wilkins played a great game, going 9-for-10 from the free throw line and finishing one rebound short of a double-double. Devon Hall (11 points, nine rebounds) also needed just one more board for the dub-dub.

The win pushed the Hoos to 6-2 in the ACC, tied for losses with UNC (7-2) and ahead of Florida State, Louisville, and Notre Dame (all 6-3). Hoos host the Hokies on Wednesday.

Wahoo of the Week

This week was the week of Ty Jerome. Against Notre Dame and #1 Villanova, the first year combined to shoot a nice 9-for-13 (69%) from the field while going 56% from three (5-for-9) with 23 points, one rebound, one steal, one assist, and one turnover in 38 minutes of play. In the second half of a close game in South Bend, Jerome buried two clutch threes, assisted a huge bucket from London, and crossed up Matt Farrell for a bucket in the lane to help secure the victory.

At Villanova, he hit a couple huge threes early, then made crucial plays down the stretch - culminating in his call to go isolation - that gave Virginia a shot to win on the road. He’s showing why Coach Bennett and his teammates have had so much praise for him throughout the season...and that he truly can be the Virginia point guard of the future. Congrats on your first - and probably not last - StLMMWotW, Ty!

Go Hoos!