#9 Virginia Basketball Dominated the Non-Conference Schedule

As the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers head into ACC play, a look back at UVA’s performance in its non-conference schedule shows an impressive level of dominance, save for one game. Below is a chart showing when the Hoos were either tied, trailing, or leading their opponents minute by minute.

There is a lot of orange there. UVA never trailed in half of their 12 games and have only trailed past the 4 minute mark in the 1st half in two of their games. Yes, there is one game in which Virginia trailed for most of the game — Virginia’s only loss on the season thus far. However, that was to the No. West Virginia Mountaineers, in Morgantown, in a game in which the Hoos had a lead with 10 minutes to go and were within two points with just over a minute left.

The Cavaliers have won 10 games by 12 points or more. Only No. 2 Michigan State has done that more. In the past four seasons, Virginia is an impressive 44-4 in non-conference regular season games. The national rankings now reflect UVA’s success as the Hoos are back in the top ten for the fifth straight season.

Virginia has been just as dominant in ACC play the past four seasons, going 56-16 in the regular season, so hopefully that continues as the conference schedule begins.