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The ACC continues conference play on Saturday with two teams near the middle of the standings when the Virginia Cavaliers (12-5, 3-3 ACC) travel to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-8, 2-4 ACC). Virginia is coming off a home win over Virginia Tech 65-57, covering as 4.5-point home favorites. Georgia Tech just went to double overtime against Clemson, and pulled out a 93-90 win as 11.5-point road underdogs. These teams only met once last season, with Virginia winning at home by 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 EST from McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, and can be found on the ACC Network.
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The Virginia Cavaliers have played six ACC games this season, three at home and three on the road. Virginia won all three games on their home floor, and lost all three on the road. In their last game they hosted Virginia Tech, and won the turnover battle forcing 15 turnovers while only losing the ball seven times on offense. Virginia held a seven point lead at halftime, and never trailed throughout the second half. The Cavaliers were led by guard Reece Beekman with 16 points and four assists in the win.
Last night's @FlowAutomotive Drive of the Game from our win vs. Virginia Tech!
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— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) January 18, 2024
Beekman is a 6'3 senior guard and he leads the Cavaliers in points and assists with 12.9 PPG and 5.8 APG. He has increased his scoring lately, reaching double figures in the last eight games with a high of 21 against Northeastern. Isaac McKneely is their only other scorer averaging double figures, he is scoring 11.4 PPG as a 6'4 sophomore guard. He is also the top shooter on the team with 38 made threes on 46.9% shooting from deep. Ryan Dunn is an athletic 6'8 sophomore guard adding 9.5 PPG and 6.6 RPG. Their best frontcourt player is Jacob Groves, the 6'9 senior averages 7.2 PPG but only 2.6 RPG.
Virginia is currently ranked 67th overall according the KenPom. They are a typical Coach Bennett team, as they are elite defensively and play slow. They rank 13th in defensive efficiency, but only 170th in offensive efficiency. They are one of the slowest teams in the nation, as they rank 360th in the nation in pace of play. Bo th Virginia and Georgia Tech are not listed in Joe Lunadri's Bracketology and would need to improve their record for consideration for a bid to the Big Dance.
Injury Report: None listed.