Virginia Basketball looks to stifle Jason Preston and Ohio

By Karl Heiser | Mar 20, 2021

Mar 11, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett talks to his team during a timeout as his team plays the Syracuse Orange during the second half in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. The Virginia Cavaliers won 72-69. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

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Virginia Basketball (18-6, 13-4 ACC) enters the 2021 NCAA Tournament after winning the ACC regular-season title. The Hoos were, unfortunately, unable to end the season with an ACC Tournament title due to a COVID pause, but they look to defend their 2019 National Championship entering the Big Dance.

Although Tony Bennett’s squad lost their second game of the season to San Francisco on a neutral court, they rebounded quickly. They opened the conference slate with 11 wins in 12 games. A rough slide at the end of the ACC schedule was not enough to prevent UVA from capturing the conference’s top seed.

Virginia’s frontcourt has been particularly formidable this season. Senior forward Sam Hauser is averaging 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest on 51.8% from the field and 43.4% from deep. Fellow senior Jay Huff adds 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game on 59.7% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.

UVA was given the No. 4 seed in the West region. Before they can get a rematch with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Sweet Sixteen, the Hoos must defeat the 2021 MAC Champions, No. 13 Ohio Bobcats (16-7, 9-5 MAC). Here are three keys for the Cavs to come away with a victory.

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