Led by potential First Team All-American Malcolm Brogdon, No. 7 Virginia withstood several rallies by No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday night, outlasting the Tar Heels for a key 79-74 win that puts that Cavs back into the ACC title picture.
But it wasn’t just that. Suddenly, the Cavs once again look like a team that could make a run in the NCAA Tournament and to the Final Four, largely thanks to the brilliance of Brogdon.
Brogdon, who finished with 26 points and six rebounds, showed the country once again why he’s one of the most versatile and vital players in the nation. He hit from outside, knocking down three-of-five attempts, while also getting to the rim or finishing over defenders from the mid-range. Quite frankly, he flashed the full arsenal against one of the longest, most athletic teams in the country.
If Virginia gets that kind of production from him, as well as timely shooting from London Perrantes and extra-effort plays from Anthony Gill, they’re as much of a threat to win the whole thing as anyone else. In years passed, it was mainly the UVA defense that gave opponents the most difficulty in both pre game preparations and the show itself. This year, however, Virginia has one of the most efficient offenses in the nation–along with that defense, that ranks third nationally in points allowed.
The pack line defense may still be a nuisance for outsiders, it’s the probable First Team All-American Malcolm Brogdon that makes everything come together for Tony Bennett’s team.
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