Getting to know The Virginia Cavaliers

Tony Bennett brings his Cavaliers into Raleigh to take on NC State this Saturday at 12 o’clock with coverage on ESPN. UVA is currently riding a four-game losing streak. Two of those four losses were in OT including a double overtime loss to VT. Virginia will look to end their streak with a win over NC State. What do you need to know about the Cavs before Saturday?

UVA lost to Miami in their most recent game.

Miami held on to win in OT, but thought they had won at the buzzer; however, replays showed Davon Reed didn’t get the shot off in time. Offensively UVA struggled as they only managed to score 48 points on the night. As a team, the Cavs shot just 31% from the field as well as 65% from the free throw line. Devon Hall and Isaiah Wilkins were the only Cavs to score in double figures. Defensively UVA was good enough for the win but couldn’t muster enough offense to end their losing streak.

London Perrantes has not played well during UVA’s four-game losing streak.

A four-year starter as well as Virginia’s leading scoring at 12.3 PPG; however, Perrantes is just 16-58 from the floor in his last four games. The Cavaliers need more out of him if they are going to make a run this March. Perrantes shoulders much of the load for UVA as he leads the team in PPG, assists, three-point shooting, and free throws made. The time between Miami and NC State could be a Godsend for Perrantes to work himself out of his shooting slump.

Tony Bennett is missing that one player to push them over the edge.

The Cavs are missing a player who can be their “go-to” player on the offensive end. UVA is known for their defensive prowess but an efficient offense has put them over the top in recent seasons. Malcolm Brogden, Justin Anderson, and Joe Harris in the past have given Virginia an advantage offensively. Those players could create for themselves in a variety of ways. Currently, the Cavs have just one player averaging double figures this year. Their inability to score has handicapped this group’s potential.

Virginia will be a tough team to beat because of their ability to defend. They will play their brand of basketball and make no apologies for slowing the pace down. Virginia needs to get back to their efficiency offensively which allowed them to beat Louisville twice, GT, California, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech. Virginia will look to be more efficient this Saturday as they look to end their four-game skid.