NCAA Basketball: Kansas State, Providence on the rise on latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
14. Virginia (11-3)
Early wins over Baylor, Illinois, and Michigan cemented Virginia’s status among the nation’s top teams, but perhaps we were too quick to crown the Cavaliers. All three of those teams have struggled in recent weeks and the Cavaliers haven’t exactly been taking care of their business either. Still, this is a talented roster with an experienced point guard in Kihei Clark leading the charge.
The start of the week was disappointing, as the Cavaliers fell 68-65 on the road against Pittsburgh, dropping their second conference game already. Clark was the highlight with 17 points and 8 assists while Armaan Franklin added 14 points of his own. Virginia got back in the winning column over the weekend with a 73-66 home win against Syracuse. Franklin led the team with 16 points, Clark had 11 assists, and the Cavaliers shot 46% from long range, knocking down 12 3-pointers against the Orange.
There’s certainly disappointment for how things have gone recently. This team ranked #1 less than a month ago and now sits at 3-2 in ACC play, dropping two of their first three games away from home. The defense has always been the story for this program, though it isn’t even in the Top 20 yet this season. If the defense can get things together, then the Cavaliers can go far and contend for the ACC title, starting with games against North Carolina and Florida State next week.