NCAA Basketball: San Diego State, Baylor exposed and more takeaways
By Brian Rauf
6) Jay Huff has been the key to Virginia’s turnaround
Speaking of Virginia, they earned the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament thanks to them winning 11 of their last 12 games, including their last eight in a row – which is the most in the conference.
Defensively, we know how good UVA is under Tony Bennett. We also know how tough it can be for them to score points at times, which is why the recent emergence of senior big man Jay Huff has been so important for them.
The seven-footer is averaging fewer than nine points per game but has scored in double figures in each of the last three. Huff had 15 points (and 10 blocks) against Duke, 17 against Miami (the first 17 of the game for the Wahoos), and 11 against Louisville, adding key buckets in all three.
Jay Huff catches the line drive and somehow turns it into a HAMMER 🔨#GoHoos #ACCMBB pic.twitter.com/hZFjjorEqp
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) March 7, 2020
Virginia does have several known qualities that give them a solid baseline. Their defense will give them a chance in every game they play, and the trio of Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, and Kihei Clark usually keep them in every game.
Huff is that X-factor that can push them over the top against the better teams they face as we’ve seen over the last week or two. He will be the biggest driving force behind anything the Cavaliers do (or don’t do) in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.