UVA hits the road looking to bounce back from Saturday’s loss
For better or for worse, the Virginia Cavaliers aren’t afforded much time to turn the page after a disappointing loss to North Carolina when UVA blew a 16-point lead on its home floor. The quick turnaround after Saturday’s game sets up a clash in South Bend where the ‘Hoos get set to meet a struggling Notre Dame team sitting at 11-9 overall and 2-5 in the ACC.
The current campaign has been a rough one for Micah Shrewsberry and the Irish. Before narrowly beating Boston College just days ago, the Irish were losers of five straight in league play and are now winners of just two of their last eight games. It’s understandable given starting point guard and overall best player Markus Burton has remained out of the lineup since early December with an injury — the Irish struggled last season as Burton also missed significant time as a sophomore.
Unsurprisingly, as a team towards the bottom of the league standings, the Irish have struggled to score. They rank in the bottom-five of the league in field goal percentage, with their team three-point percentage ranking inside the top-10, but more a result of their lack of attempts than anything else. They aren’t pouring in double digit treys each night by any stretch. UVA has a chance to tangibly improve coming off of a rough defensive effort when they allowed Carolina to pour in 21 fast break points against. In stark contrast, this Notre Dame team hovers around the 300 mark in adjusted tempo, according to KenPom.
The ‘Hoos and Irish are set to collide at 7 PM from Purcell Pavilion. ESPN2 will have the broadcast. Here are two players to know and a prediction for Tuesday night’s game.
Notre Dame players to watch
F Jalen Haralson
With Burton out, Haralson has led the scoring push. Averaging 14.7 a game, he continues to be a matchup problem at 6-foot-7 at the forward spot. And, despite the losses continuing to pile up, he’s had solid games against some of the top teams in the ACC; he’s poured in 13 or more points in games against UNC, Miami, and Clemson, and put up 14 earlier in the year in a loss Houston.
Haralson’s shooting 49% from the floor and 24% from three, having only shot 21 times from deep. He’s athletic enough to slash to the bucket from the wing and is especially strong when playing with his back to the hoop and using his size to work his way around the rim. Thijs De Ridder matched up well with he athleticism of Caleb Wilson just days ago – Tuesday night will be another test for him and the rest of the ‘Hoos in the post and short corners.
G Braeden Shrewsberry
It’s been boom or bust for Shrewsberry as a scorer lately. He comes into Tuesday averaging 11 points per game to go with just under two assists and three boards a night. Against BC, he dropped 22 points, helping will his team to that narrow win.
Before Saturday, Shrewsberry had scored just 22 points total in his last four games combined. All in all, he’s going to get his shots up in this game. Shooting 41% from three for the year, he threw up nine in the BC game, making two. Throughout that four-game drought, he managed to make only four of his 17 attempts from deep. He’ll be a big reason why the Irish will either shoot their way into keeping this game competitive, or why the ‘Hoos pull away if he comes in cold and tries to shoot through a bad night.
Prediction
I think the short turnaround of a Saturday game into a Tuesday road matchup favors UVA here. What could be better than getting back on the floor right away against a team that, if the ‘Hoos play their game, should provide an easy win?
Ryan Odom harped on the team defense not being good enough against Carolina, the Irish average the third lowest points per game of any ACC team at 72.9. I’m on the ‘Hoos to respond and pitch a defensive gem here with their size and quickness proving to be too much for ND.
Prediction: ‘Hoos 81, Irish 66
Category: General Sports
