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Virginia Basketball: 3 reasons the Cavaliers are the country’s best team

By Holden Walter-Warner

DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 27: Cameron Crazies and fans of the Duke Blue Devils taunt Devon Hall
DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 27: Cameron Crazies and fans of the Duke Blue Devils taunt Devon Hall /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 9: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Syracuse Orange at John Paul Jones Arena on January 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 9: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Syracuse Orange at John Paul Jones Arena on January 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

2. The best single loss of the season

Admittedly, this may be more of a credit to West Virginia than Virginia. But if we’re going to be drawing a direct comparison to Villanova, this is a good place to start.

The Cavaliers and Wildcats are the only two teams in the country with a single loss on their resume. Virginia’s loss came on December 5, when they traveled to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. At the time, the Mountaineers were ranked No. 18 in the country, with a burgeoning defensive reputation in line with the Cavs.

West Virginia prevailed 68-61. They are now ranked No. 15 in the country.

Villanova’s loss came on December 30, when they traveled to Indianapolis to take on the Butler Bulldogs. At the time, the Bulldogs were unranked, albeit with a decent 11-3 record. Butler proved victorious in a shootout, 101-93. They’re 15-7 this season, showing serious warts in Big East play and endangering themselves to an NCAA Tournament-less season.

When putting those losses side-by-side, there’s really no comparison to be had. Nobody would be right to consider Villanova’s defeat a ‘bad loss,’ but Virginia’s defeat was to an exceptionally better opponent. The season from that point forward bares out that point rather clearly.

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