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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Tony Bennett Virginia Basketball (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Stick to the Plan

Another year, another Pack Line defense for Tony Bennett and company. With that trademark defense comes the slowest tempo of any team in the nation. Ohio gets about nine possessions more per game than the Cavs. It’s not worth it to try to run in transition with them. Sticking to their game plan and defensive identity is how Virginia will win this game. Slowing down the pace will also have the effect of slowing down Jason Preston’s transition game.

Virginia has done fairly well this year at defending screens and picks. However, their Adjusted Defensive Efficiency is 33rd in the country. For context, UVA hasn’t been outside the top 10 in that metric in over seven years. Scouting Ohio’s rotations and go-to screen action plays will be huge in preparing Virginia for stopping it.

Beating UVA isn’t easy when they stick to their game plan. There’s a reason they are one of the winningest programs over the last few years.

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