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What to Expect from Virginia Hoops in Matchup Against Pitt

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On Tuesday night at 9 p.m., Pitt (10-4) will take on the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers, who currently sit at 10-2 on the year.

Let’s learn more about the Cavaliers ahead of the matchup.

LEADING SCORERS

Virginia has five players averaging at least nine points per game this season: Jayden Gardner (12.0 PPG), Kihei Clark (11.5), Armaan Franklin (10.7), Reece Beekman (9.4), Kadin Shedrick (9).

SUPPORTING CAST

Outside of its five leading scorers, Virginia only has two other players averaging more than 15 minutes per game. Ben Vander Plas is an Ohio transfer who is averaging just over seven points per matchup this year. Vander Plas is a versatile forward who seems to do all of the little things for the ‘Hoos. Isaac McKneely is the other contributing bench player for the Cavaliers, and he has been one of the teams outside threats when he has been on the court. McKneely, a freshman guard, has hit 16 of his 46 three-point attempts on the year.

COMPARISONS

Virginia

  • 70.2 points per game
  • 23.3 FG per game
  • 45.8% FG
  • 36.7% 3FG
  • 7.0 3FG/G
  • 33.1 RPG
  • 15.8 APG
  • 9.8 TO/G

Pitt

  • 75.8 points per game
  • 26.5 FG per game
  • 45.2% FG
  • 34.2% 3FG
  • 39.9 RPG
  • 15.1 APG
  • 13.4 TO/G

SERIES’ RECENT HISTORY

The Cavaliers have won eight straight games over Pitt, including their last three games at the Petersen Events Center. 

Last season, Virginia took down Pitt by one point and by five points, respectively, in the two matchups. In the first game, Jayden Gardner led the ‘Hoos with 15 points and a game-winning jumper. Armaan Franklin and Kihei Clark combined for 19 in the win as well. Virginia grabbed 27 rebounds (to Pitt’s 30), dished out 18 assists (to Pitt’s nine), and turned the ball over six times (to Pitt’s ten).

In game two, Reece Beekman killed the Panthers with 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Gardner scored 14, and Shedrick added 12 in the win. Virginia grabbed 25 rebounds (to Pitt’s 29), dished out 19 assists (to Pitt’s eight), and turned the ball over nine times (to Pitt’s 15).

Virginia has a relatively similar squad to last year’s that Pitt faced. Pitt struggled mightily with turnovers in the two matchups. In game one, the Panthers hit eight of their 16 three-point tries. In game two, just one of six. With this year’s new-look squad, Pitt will look to their outside shooting and the resiliency of their guards to try and bring home its second-straight ranked win.

GAME TIME

The game will tip off at 9 p.m. on ACC Network. 

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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