Florida, UNC Wilmington, and East Tennessee State: A Virginia Historical Look

The Cavaliers are making their 4th straight appearance this year in the NCAA Tournament. What better way to look forward to this week’s tournament than to look back at Virginia’s historical play against their (possible) opponents?

Virginia as a 5 Seed
This will be the 5th time the Cavaliers have entered the tournament as a 5 seed. That’s about where the good news ends. They have an overall 3-4 record as a 5, but that includes a run to the Elite 8 in 1989. In other words, Virginia is 1-3 all time against 12 seeds.

12 Seed: UNC Wilmington Seahawks
The Hoos first opponent this week will be the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington. The Cavaliers are 3-0 against UNC-W including a 69-67 win in Charlottesville in 2010. Wilmington will also be playing in their second straight NCAA Tournament after losing to Duke 93-85 last year in the first round.

4 Seed: Florida Gators
The possible rematch of the 2012 NCAA Tournament game between the Cavaliers and the Gators would only be the 3rd all time meeting between the two programs. Most remember the 45-71 drubbing Florida handed Virginia in 2012. The other game was a 1992 NIT Semifinal that saw the Cavaliers win 62-56. This will be the first appearance for the Gators since the 2014 season that saw them lose to UCONN in the Final Four.

13 Seed: East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Like UNC W, this could be the 4th all time meeting with Virginia, if the two matchup in the round of 32. The Cavaliers sport a 3-0 record against the Buccaneers with the last game coming in 2003, an 84-76 Virginia victory. This will be the 10th appearance for the Buccaneers, but the first time they have made the dance since 2010.