All things Virginia
- Thread starter demoncore1031
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Saw this chart on Twitter. VA really second best team behind ku. Gonna be a tough one
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I grew up in Atlanta and a lot of my classmates ended up at UVA, Duke and UNC. I'm going to hear a lot of trash talk this week when I go home. It would be so much fun to see ISU do well. Go Cyclones!
Pace-wise, yeah. They just are so much better than UNI offensively and defensively, though. They are a lot more perimeter oriented at a glance than UNI as they shoot more threes by quite a bit and they don't draw near the fouls.
Here's the thing about ISU that will make them so tough. You can't style them out of the game. If you want to run like Iona, they'll boat race you. If you want to slow them down, they can and will execute in the half court. Virginia and KU are the teams you would probably draw up to beat ISU because they do everything well. That said, KU can and will run if it suits the game. UV likely won't but what they aren't going to do is beat themselves. I like the matchup but it's going to be a game where we have to grind it out and the defense has to continue to lock in.
Virginia wins with defense, turnovers and physicality. They are a very physical team and will most definitely try to "beat us up" on the inside. Their defense is one of the best in the country when they really concentrate and lock it down. I'm not all that impressed with their offense, but it's not something they lack. They just live on defense and thrive off of turnovers.
Virginia didn't get that seed by being just an ok team. They are good...really good...Michigan State deserved the #1 seed on season play and conference championship, but Virginia deserved it on play throughout the season.
They will lock down their half court defense and try to force turnovers and bad shots, then make us pay at the other end. The good guys will have to play a game like they did against UA-LR. Protect the ball, good shot selection, play good defense and take advantage of all opportunities to run the ball. If the easy bucket is there take it, if not pull the ball out and run the half court offense. We can not let them onto the offensive glass, they will try to out muscle McKay down low, so I see a lot of playing time for Burton and Nader spending time inside as well.
Virginia didn't get that seed by being just an ok team. They are good...really good...Michigan State deserved the #1 seed on season play and conference championship, but Virginia deserved it on play throughout the season.
They will lock down their half court defense and try to force turnovers and bad shots, then make us pay at the other end. The good guys will have to play a game like they did against UA-LR. Protect the ball, good shot selection, play good defense and take advantage of all opportunities to run the ball. If the easy bucket is there take it, if not pull the ball out and run the half court offense. We can not let them onto the offensive glass, they will try to out muscle McKay down low, so I see a lot of playing time for Burton and Nader spending time inside as well.
Virginia like ALR likes to play slow. That's great. We'll nail em in transition and it's easier to control the tempo with a team like that. Also favors us to make less turnovers which is key.
Only problem is Virginia is way more talented than LR, plays even slower, and has better defensive FG stats. Going to be a tough matchup, ISU needs to keep it going with the fantastic shot selection they've had this tourney to do well against Virginia
Virginia's defense is predicated on pressuring the ball handler, disrupting passing lanes, forcing post players to catch the ball as far away from the low post as possible. They don't try to turn you over with pressure, mostly just try to prevent you from putting the ball in key locations to take good shots. I think if ISU runs Niang from the point, wing, or high post Virginia will have trouble guarding him with their defensive scheme. Monte hitting mid range jumpers and everyone hitting from outside will be key since Virginia's defense tends to give up 3 point and mid range attempts moreso than traditional post up type offense. More good news for us is Niang has shown even if he catches the ball far off the block, he can still make a move to get decent shots off.
On defense we need to stick to their shooters like glue as we did with LR as I think they will try a lot of ball screens to get shooters open. I suspect they will also try driving the lane against us to get our frontcourt in foul trouble. I think it's imperative that Nader/Niang don't get in foul trouble.
I think ISU squeaks out a close one if they continue with their good shot selection(and hitting those shots), and staying out of foul trouble. It's really all about finding and taking good shots, which would allow ISU to get an early lead on the scoreboard and force Virginia to run more.
If ISU falls into the trap of giving easy fouls or being forced into poor shots they will fall behind on the scoreboard, and Virginia can dictate tempo and force us into their style of game which would end in a likely loss.
I see a little over confidence on this thread, hope the team knows they are big time underdogs in this games and will have to play a hell of a game to beat Virginia. Virginia has a lot of talent and their coach is a stud.
Cyclone nation needs to show up at the United center and make this a home game for the clones.
Cyclone nation needs to show up at the United center and make this a home game for the clones.
Posts like this always make me wonder if people actually understand that a fan's confidence in a game has absolutely zero effect on the results of the game.
Virginia is a nightmare draw. Very impressive team that exploits our weaknesses. Gonna have to play a damn near perfect game. Undisciplined, quick shots will be our undoing. Run offense through George EVERY single time and stay out of foul trouble.
My two keys to this game: 1. We need Jameel to match the energy of Gill. He is the real deal. If Jameel can neutralize Gill and keep him off the offensive boards were in great shape. 2. Morris will need to look to score more. At some point they'll put Brogdon on Niang which could certainly slow Georges down a bit. I think Morris will need to look to turn the corner a little more on that two man pick and roll game. Morris scores 13-15 were in great shape.
