#14 Virginia manhandled by #10 North Carolina, 65-41

For the first time since 2011, the Virginia Cavaliers have lost three straight games as North Carolina obliterated Virginia 65-41. One game after Jayson Tatum erupted for 28 points for Duke, North Carolina’s Justin Jackson dropped 20 points on the Hoos, including 18 in the first half that gave the home team most of their momentum. #14 Virginia led 8-6 early in the first half, but a Jackson three made it 9-6, and the #10 Tar Heels never looked back. Marial Shayok led Virginia with 13 points as the offense once again struggled without an interior game. Although the offense got much better looks than they did against Duke, nothing would fall for the Hoos. Virginia went 2-for-20 from three in the game (10%), with a London Perrantes triple at the 5:32 mark in the second half being their first three of the game. For the game, Virginia shot an abysmal 28.3% from the field.

Jack Salt picked up two quick fouls - and then a third when he re-entered the game - contributing just two points on a tip-in in five minutes of first half action. Virginia trailed 34-22 after one half of play, matching their season low in points in a half. Wilkins led the Hoos with seven points in the first half on 3-for-4 shooting. Perrantes chipped in six points, making just one shot but converting five free throws. As a team, Virginia shot a season low 33.3% from the field, dragged down by missing all eight of their first half attempts.

Conversely, the Tar Heels shot a blistering 41.7% from beyond the arc in the first half, led by Jackson’s 4-for-6 showing. Both teams had five turnovers and the Hoos limited UNC to two fast break points. For the game, UNC shot 47% from the field and 37% from three.

Virginia opened the second half on a Perrantes and-one play, but the nine point deficit ballooned after some tough defensive plays by UNC and down low buckets by Kennedy Meeks. Mamadi Diakite provided some solid minutes, scoring two points and adding two rebounds, two steals, and three blocks for Virginia.

The loss is the worst for Virginia since the Tennessee debacle on December 30, 2013, and the first game since then that Virginia has been out of down the stretch.

No rest for the weary as the Hoos have a quick turnaround to play Miami in Charlottesville on Monday night.