Virginia Basketball: 3 keys to Cavaliers taking down No. 17 Florida State
1. There has not been a bigger cog to FSU’s recent success than RaiQuan Gray – and the Cavaliers will need to shut him down
There might not be a more improved player on Florida State’s roster than junior RaiQuan Gray, who – after averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds last season – has been on a tear for the Seminoles as of late, recording season-averages of 11.1 points – the second-highest on the team – and 6.6 boards – the highest mark of any Seminole.
What has been even more impressive is just how good Gray has been as of late. Entering this season, Gray reached double-digits in just six games between his freshman and sophomore campaigns. And – entering FSU’s January 16th game with North Carolina – the junior had scored double-figures in just two of Florida State’s eight games to begin his third season.
But something clicked ahead of the Seminoles’ game with the Tar Heels because Gray has now ripped off six-straight double-digit showings, averaging marks of 16.7 points on clips of 61.8% (2PT, 34-55) and 82.3% (FT, 29-35) – as well as 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Most recently, in the overtime win over Wake Forest, Gray scored 24 points on 7-10 shooting on two-pointers – and a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe – all the while hauling down 12 boards, dishing out four assists, and blocking three shots.
Shutting down Gray must be Virginia’s number one individual priority. Seeing time at both power forward and center, Gray will be defended – primarily – by either Sam Hauser or Jay Huff. Gray is very much a different type of post from either Hauser or Huff, relying substantially more on an inside game rather than shooting threes – he is just 5-20 from beyond the arc this year – and at 6-8 and 240 pounds, Gray is also more physically built than either of Virginia’s primary posts.
That should be no issue for the Cavaliers, however, particularly after locking down UNC’s three-man frontcourt of Armando Bacot, Garrison Brooks, and Day’Ron Sharpe. All three – taller and weighing roughly around the same as Gray – were held to seven points or less, combining for just 18 points on 8-22 (36.3%) shooting. Additionally, Gray has yet to experience much success historically against Virginia, having scored just a combined 17 points in four games against the Cavaliers.
If Virginia hopes to win this game, they cannot afford for Gray to get hot from the floor. He has proven that he can lead this team on the floor and dominate inside – and it is no coincidence that the Seminoles are 5-1 in this six-game stretch. Again, this will be the most crucial individual showdown – and the Cavaliers must succeed in locking Gray down inside.