Virginia Basketball: 3 keys to victory for the Cavaliers against Clemson
1. Keep Braxton Key going off the bench
The biggest X-Factor for the Virginia Cavaliers isn’t Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome or De’Andre Hunter. It’s 6-foot-8 junior guard Braxton Key, a former transfer from the St. John’s Red Storm. Key is averaging over 20 minutes of action off the bench and is turning it into a stat-sheeting stuffing affair.
The versatile swingman is averaging 7.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest in 21.8 minutes of action in his first season with the Cavaliers. In his last appearance off the bench, he put up nine points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 27 minutes against Boston College.
In a tough road environment, Key will be looked to early as an energy guy off the bench on both ends for Virginia. He came up big in their conference-opening victory over the Florida State Seminoles last Saturday, putting up a season-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field along with six rebounds.
Next. Why UVA is poised for a March run. dark
He’s another that’s emerged as a key role player in the Virginia rotation this season. Look for him to have a big game Saturday afternoon against the Clemson Tigers.