Virginia Basketball: 3 takeaways from commanding win over No. 12 Clemson

1. Beekman’s development as a freshman is key to UVA’s future – and that was on display versus Clemson

Reece Beekman‘s freshman season has not necessarily produced stellar offensive showings for Virginia.  The 6-3 guard has recorded just two double-digit games, tallying 11 in the loss to San Francisco and 12 in the Cavaliers’ recent win over Wake Forest.  Meanwhile, Beekman’s status as a starter and bench player has fluctuated.

Beekman has started in six games, coming off the bench in the other four tilts – and has occasionally struggled to produce.  Of his first seven appearances, Beekman scored over five points on just two occasions – and his seventh game yielded his first scoreless night, going 0-1 in 12 minutes at Notre Dame.

But Tony Bennett’s decision to start Beekman in Virginia’s following game with Wake Forest paid off.  The freshman tallied 12 points, three assists, and five steals in 37 minutes against the Demon Deacons.  Against Boston College and Notre Dame, Beekman recorded single digits (four and seven, respectively), but was still productive in other manners, hauling down three boards at BC and four against the Irish – while dishing out three assists in each game.

Against the Tigers, Beekman – in 29 minutes – maintained the team’s fourth-highest offensive rating despite being the lone starter not to record double-digits, scoring eight points (4-6 2PT).  Again, the freshman was impactful through other facets, bringing five caroms, snagging two steals, and handing out a game-and-career-high six assists, while finishing as a plus-24 in 29 minutes.

That Virginia has had four of their best performances come with Beekman back in the starting lineup is no coincidence, and it bodes exceptionally well for the Cavaliers moving forward.