Game 27: at Virginia

Back on the road for the first of two games away from Comcast. This time it's a trip down 95 to 64 (or 81 to 64 depending on where you live) for Brunch with the Terps. Early game for the Terps and I have no idea if that's so Terp fans can watch the men play Duke or for TV purposes.

This marks our debut at the John Paul Jones Arena and hopefully we christen it the same way we closed down the old place - with a win.

It's been 6 games since we played them and it will be a good measuring stick to see how we have improved. The game will put an end to one of our 3 home-and-homes we have this year (Duke and BC are coming up). A win clinches a second-straight winning season in the ACC.

Virginia

Record: 14-10, 3-6 (ACC), 11-4 (Home)

Common Opponents: Temple (W, 71-65), Marshall (W, 75-58), North Carolina (L, 96-62); Wake Forest (W, 77-70), Boston College (W, 65-63), Virginia Tech (L, 60-58); NC State (L, 71-60); Florida State (L, 63-47); Duke (L, 76-61); Miami (W, 73-60)

Most points given up: 96 (twice)

Fewest Points scored: 47

Team Info - Stats

They score 72.3 ppg, while allowing 68.5

They Shoot 41.9%, while opponents shoot 40.4%.

Shoot 31.3% and allow from behind the arc.

They grab 40.2 rebounds per game, only 2 better than their opponents.

They also turn the ball over more than 17 times per game, and generate 9 steals per game.

Don't get in a ton of foul trouble as no one is averaging more than 3 fouls per game.

their bench has very little punch.

Since we played them no team has scored more 76 against them and that was Duke. This may indicate that they are slowing the tempo down now more to keep games close.

Also, the first game is no indication as we were playing with revenge on our minds from the Duke loss and Monica Wright was in foul trouble from the start.

Players to Watch

Lyndra Littles - Main post player. Undersized, but tenacious. Shooting 49.7% and leads team in points (16.4) and rebounds (8.6) Also leads team in turnovers. She killed us in the first match up with her variety of post moves. Harper is going to have to play her tighter and limit her shots.

Sharnee Zoll - one of the best PG in the league and is a slightly lesser version of Harding. She drives the lane, shoots the three and will dish the ball in traffic. Also has active hands on defense.

Monica Wright - Frontrunner for ACC Rookie of the Year honors. Coleman clone, but has to do more because lack of other players. She's active on defense with 57 steals and will drive to the bucket as well as take pull up jumperz. Has only made 16 of 67 three-pointers all year. Tends to get in foul trouble due to her aggressiveness

Brenna McGuire - Main three-point threat. She basically runs down the court and sets up shop for a 3. Has taken only 41 shots inside the arc all year (made more 3s than that). Also a liability on defense as she isn't quick enough to stay with faster guards.

Siedah Williams - Athletic forward who is only averaging 8.6 ppg and 7.0 rpg. She has taken over 100 shots, but her athleticism isn't helping with her offense.

Paulisha Kellum - She killed us in the first game with her drives. She doesn't take 3s.

Abby Robertson - Basically in there to set screens and give Littles and Williams some rest.

Keys to the Game

Stop Littles. Attack her in the paint and keep her from getting the ball. She doesn't score, UVA doesn't win.

Contain penetration. Pellum, Zoll, Wright and Williams will all try to drive to the bucket from the outside. Cut them off and force them into traffic.

Contain Zoll. She makes that team go. Stop her and the offense will falter. You have to watch for when she drives, because if she sees a double team she will pass to the open forward downlow.

Rebound. We should be able to dominate them on the boards. They have no one over 6'3.

Pick up the pace. Virginia only goes about 7 deep and they tend to get tired. Make them tap into that bench.

Attack. We have been better at this lately, and it's starting to open up the inside and the outside.

Take care of the ball. No carless passes.

Show passion. We need to show we can play on the road.