Virginia Basketball: Keys to beating Oregon in Sweet 16 matchup

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Kyle Guy #5 and De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate after a play in the second half against the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Jerome of the Cavaliers reacts. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Come out with a ton of energy.

Cinderella stories are never easy to end. And while Oregon might be from a power conference, they are the only team with slipper-fitting potential remaining in the field due to their seed. The Ducks were not nearly as successful as any of the other remaining teams and they will come out with a ton of energy and heart in this Sweet 16 matchup. Oregon’s momentum and hype from reaching the Sweet 16 against the odds could cause them to have a bit of an advantage in the early going with regards to their energy on both ends of the court.

Because of this, Virginia should focus on coming out of the gates and matching that energy. To put it simply, there would be no better way to follow up losing to UMBC last season than by cutting the nets as national champions this time around. The Cavaliers are on their way to potentially fulfilling that destiny and they should come out with a ton of fight in this matchup. If UVA is able to match or exceed Oregon’s energy out of the locker room, the team should be able to quicky assert their dominance on the game.

Oregon is a very interesting matchup for Virginia because they have fairly similar styles. With that said, though, the Cavaliers are the much better team and should have the confidence needed to take the victory after their opening weekend results. The Ducks, though, have a ton of momentum coming in and could prove to be a dangerous team to face off against.

Next. Reranking the Sweet 16. dark

On the flip side, Virginia has some tremendous leaders at the top of its roster this season and they will come out ready to play. This team is built to potentially win the national title and they should keep those hopes alive with a win over Oregon. Every game in the NCAA Tournament is difficult and no program knows that better than UVA. That is why the Cavaliers will likely come out ready to prove to the nation that they can not only win in March but dominate as well.

Final Prediction: Virginia Cavaliers – 69, Oregon Ducks – 56

Home/Virginia Cavaliers