Three takeaways from Virginia’s Cavalanche-induced smushing of Georgia Tech

In the pantheon of colossal Cavalanches, what Virginia did to Georgia Tech on Saturday must hold a vaunted spot. 

With a few minutes to play in the first half, it was 27–25, and worry was mounting. Five minutes into the second half, it was 52–25, and glee dispelled that worry. 

Eight minutes, 25 points for Virginia, 0 points for Georgia Tech. A remorseless dismantling.

Banks of empty seats stood sentry on this lazy Saturday afternoon as Virginia rediscovered the firepower it once used to ascend the AP Poll. The offense flowed smoothly, the defense locked down, the scoreboard held testimony to Virginia’s dominance. Virginia 74, Georgia Tech 56.

Middling Georgia Tech is not exactly stiff opposition. But the big win still felt purifying—vindication, of a sort, that Virginia’s flashes of early-season brilliance could be more than the apparition they were beginning to feel like.

Here are three takeaways.

Return of the threes

Ten times Virginia drilled 3-pointers. It took the Hoos 22 attempts. That’s 45 percent.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a complete team, with a chief component of its offensive attack finally restored. 

Kihei Clark and Reece Beekman each hit two. Armaan Franklin and Isaac McKneely each hit three. 

The Hoos need to continue this 3-point production. Not the 45 percent—that’s unattainable on a nightly basis—but good, simple, quality deep shooting. Without it, the Hoos are mediocre offensively, as exhibited by the recent run of games. 

The fear may exist that Virginia risks becoming over-reliant on 3-pointers. This fear is unfounded. Virginia’s 3-point attempt percentage is 33.1 percent, according to KenPom, the 289th mark in the nation. If anything, Virginia should shoot more threes.

Impregnable defense with a side of forced turnovers

Spotless offense fueled the Cavalanche, but impregnable defense served as its backbone. Virginia held Georgia Tech scoreless for eight minutes, stifling the frustrated Yellow Jackets. 

The defense, solid all season because of Virginia’s veteran roster, has further coalesced. Clark and Beekman are unimpeachable on-ball defenders. Jayden Gardner and Franklin play their roles effectively. Kadin Shedrick, despite the occasional blood-vessel-bursting blunder, has developed into a reliable defender. The others step in when called upon.

Against Georgia Tech, Virginia’s guards morphed into pickpockets, generating steals galore. Even Vander Plas got in on the act. The box score credits Virginia with 14 steals. Georgia Tech ended with 23 turnovers, the product of additional pressure. 

Virginia presently ranks 19th on KenPom in defensive efficiency, a ginormous leap from last year’s paltry 110th. Perhaps more than anything, maintaining the defensive stronghold is key for Virginia.

This balanced scoring attack is sustainable

Clark scored 15. Gardner scored 14. Shedrick and Franklin scored 11. McKneely scored 9. Beekman, in his return from a brief, injury-induced hiatus, scored 8. 

The balance is beautiful. And, hopefully, sustainable.

Not pictured in the above snapshot of Virginia’s leading scorers: Vander Plas and Ryan Dunn. 

Vander Plas recently torched Miami for 20 points. He’s reached double-figures scoring three other times. Vander Plas is not the headliner, but he’s liable to step into the spotlight on occasion. 

Dunn’s thunderous jam against the Yellow Jackets seemed an attempt to live up to the De’Andre Hunter comparisons he sparked early in the season. Hunter attended the game, and for a second you might have been fooled into believing he had donned Dunn’s jersey and stepped onto the court. 

Dunn and Vander Plas, combined with McKneely, form a roving three-man pod of players who will emerge in some games but not in others. Here a Dunn game, here a Vander Plas game, here a McKneely game. 

Then there’s Clark and Beekman and Gardner and Shedrick. That quartet should produce consistently.

So, voila, you have a balanced scoring attack.

If it persists, and if the defense continues, the ACC-play iteration of Virginia could be nearly uncrackable.

Image – Virginia Athletics