Ryan Dunn flexed. Sort of. It wasn’t the Drew Timme flex, not the ostentatious preen of a dominant player flaunting his skills.
No, this was more visceral, the type of flex and roar generated by pulsing adrenaline, the type where that wall of adrenaline slams into you, hunting for an emotional release. The flex was probably involuntary, the only outlet for Dunn to channel the energy coursing through him.
The thunderous dunk that predated the flex needs no description, no introduction. There it was on the broadcast. There it was pasted across social media. There it was headlining the SportsCenter Top 10.
They were two points, two measly points. But, no, they were more. They were points that rocked JPJ to its foundations, points that announced Dunn as a powerful weapon, points that rejected the unarticulated trepidation that Virginia would nosedive without emerging star Reece Beekman.
Beekman’s early, ominous exit augured a difficult game. Ice strapped to his hamstring, he sat rooted to the bench, a precaution against further harm. Virginia lumbered along, clearly missing an element. But the Hoos won, 55-50, in an edgy affair that recalled nauseating memories of last year’s ignominious loss.
Here are three takeaways.
Poor shooting the root of Virginia’s problems
On threes: 5-21, 24 percent. On free throws: 12-24, 50 percent. On field goals: 19-45, 42 percent.
Ghastly.
A jarring, irregular rhythm formed, a grating melody born out of missed free throws. There’s that initial clank, that hollow sound indicating a miss. Then there’s the brief vibration, the rim oscillating tightly after impact. Again and again free throws arced toward the hoop. Again and again those sounds emanated from the court.
Open looks materialized, especially from behind the three-point line. But Virginia failed to capitalize.
Had Virginia shot its season averages, the win would have felt far more comfortable. The question, of course, is simple. Is this an anomaly or the start of a trend?
Defense solidifies
Fifty-five points should not be enough to win a basketball game. Fifty-five points barely deserves to win a basketball game.
But on Tuesday, Virginia scored 55 points. And Virginia won the basketball game.
Defense.
The defense has calcified. Bennett took his sander to Virginia’s rough edges, and the Hoos are nearly smooth. Even without Beekman’s on-ball prowess, Virginia constricted JMU. This is a JMU team that averaged over 90 points per game entering Tuesday’s contest.
The only flashing red light from Tuesday’s game was JMU’s 13 offensive boards. Virginia lost the overall rebounding margin, 41-33. But the Dukes are known for crashing the offensive glass, streaming in like kamikazes.
Virginia’s trademark strong defense appears impermeable once again.
A victory, and now a break
For the non-student fan, Virginia’s annual exam break can be irritating. College basketball marches on, delicious matchups coloring television screens as conference play draws closer, but there Virginia sits, immobile.
Virginia’s emphasis on education is a point of pride for fans, but this year’s 11-day exam break is also positive from a basketball standpoint.
Virginia is saddled with injury. Beekman tweaked his ankle and now his hamstring. Kadin Shedrick has suffered a battering, his face repeatedly struck by flailing elbows and reckless arms. Opposing bigs pass on the mallet from game to game, each taking his turn whacking Shedrick in the face. Ethan Saliba needs more gauze.
The break will afford Virginia time to heal, time to reset.
In Beekman’s stead, Kihei Clark has assumed the mantle of top dog and has piloted underhanded Virginia to victory. Jayden Gardner has clicked into gear.
The Hoos haven’t been at full strength since the game against Maryland-Eastern Shore that followed the Las Vegas trip. And, still, the Hoos have delivered victories.
There are still things to sort out before the colossal showdown with No. 1 Houston on December 17. But despite a couple worrying performances, Virginia remains 8-0 and one of the best teams in the country.
Image – Virginia Athletics