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NCAA Basketball: Virginia, Michigan lead top one-loss teams in 2018-19

By Drew Dinnhaupt

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 09: Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 hug beside Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers at the end of a game against the VCU Rams at John Paul Jones Arena on December 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 09: Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 hug beside Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers at the end of a game against the VCU Rams at John Paul Jones Arena on December 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 05: Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers smiles as he comes off the court beside De’Andre Hunter #12 and Kihei Clark #0 in the second half during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at John Paul Jones Arena on January 5, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 05: Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers smiles as he comes off the court beside De’Andre Hunter #12 and Kihei Clark #0 in the second half during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at John Paul Jones Arena on January 5, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

1. Virginia (16-1)

I think the Cavaliers are the clear No. 1 choice here.

Virginia is 4-0 against ranked competition and has beaten two top 10 teams by an average margin of 17.5. It also has four road wins to its resume.

Moreover, Virginia’s one loss is the most impressive among teams on this list considering it lost by one possession to No. 1 Duke. Naysayers, however, will argue that Virginia should’ve won since the Tre Jones, perhaps the Blue Devils’ most important player, was out with a shoulder injury on Saturday.

Naturally, the Cavaliers’ defense has been the nation’s best this season. Opponents post just 52.9 points per game, almost three points less than the second-least (Texas Tech – 55.8 points allowed per game). Tony Bennett’s team has the second-best defensive efficiency in the country, according to KenPom.

Not only is Virginia dominant on the defensive end, but it has improved its offense greatly. The Cavaliers have the third-best offensive efficiency measure in the nation; they also have the third-highest field goal percentage in the ACC.

Next. Biggest takeaways from past week. dark

I would be surprised if Virginia was the No. 1 team in next week’s AP poll. Tennessee probably has a better chance of securing the top spot, but two-loss teams in Michigan State, Duke, and Gonzaga will all contend for No. 1 as well.

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