Virginia seizes conference crown
Cavaliers hoist first outright title in 33 years after victory vs. No. 4 Syracuse
Malcolm Brogdon talked before No. 12 Virginia’s final home game about making it a success for seniors Joe Harris, Akil Mitchell and even former walk-on Thomas Rogers, the first building blocks in Tony Bennett’s remaking of the Cavaliers.
Brogdon made sure Saturday that his teammates left happy. He scored 17 of his career-high 19 points in the second half, including eight in a decisive run that sent Virginia to a 75-56 ACC victory against No. 4 Syracuse at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.
The victory was the 13th in a row for the Cavaliers, and secured their first outright ACC regular-season championship in 33 years.
“Super exciting,” the redshirt sophomore said of watching the final seconds tick off the clock with students poised to charge the court despite pleas from the public-address announcer that they stay put. “You could do nothing but smile at that point when you beat a good team like that and you’re having success like we’re having. It’s surreal when you think about it.”
The previous Virginia team to win the ACC outright had sophomore Ralph Sampson in the middle. This one has no players of that stature, but a handful all capable of taking over games with either a critical offensive play, or a defensive stop.
Mitchell added 12 points and nine rebounds, and Mike Tobey and Justin Anderson scored 11 apiece for the Cavaliers (25-5, 16-1), who won their 13th in a row overall, and their 18th consecutive at home against ACC competition. Syracuse was only the second ranked team beaten in that home streak, but as has so often been the case this season, it wasn’t close at the end.
Mitchell and Tobey were especially crucial early when Harris and Brogdon struggled. Mitchell had eight points and seven rebounds by halftime, and Tobey was more assertive and aggressive inside. He had seven points and four rebounds at the half.
“I knew this was a big game going in and I have been playing not up to what I feel like I could play up to, so I just came into this game with an aggressive mentality,” Tobey (6 feet 11) said. He finished with eight rebounds, five on offense.
Bennett was able to empty his bench and get Rogers into the game, and the senior put a cap on the day in dramatic fashion, hitting a fallaway 3-pointer from the left corner for the first points in ACC play of his career.
“That was the best moment of the game,” Brogdon said. It was Virginia’s seventh 3-pointer in 11 second-half tries.
Tyler Ennis and C.J. Fair each scored 13 for the Orange (26-3, 13-3), who lost for the third time in four games. Syracuse played much of the game without ailing Jerami Grant because of a sore back, but coach Jim Boeheim said it was no excuse.
“They had a tremendous second half. They proved that they could hit those 3s, and got it going a little bit,” Boeheim said. “Everyone knows they are a tremendous defensive team and they are also an impressive 3-point team. They got going in the second half. I have thought that for a couple of weeks, that they have been by far the best team.”
Other games
North Carolina 60, Virginia Tech 56: James Michael McAdoo scored 15 points to lead No. 19 North Carolina past host Virginia Tech for the Tar Heels’ 11th consecutive victory. McAdoo hit 6 of 9 from the floor for the Tar Heels (22-7, 12-4), who started ACC play 1-4 and have not lost since. The Tar Heels haven’t won this many games in a row since opening the 2008-09 season with 13 consecutive victories. McAdoo scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half, including 10 after the Hokies had cut the Tar Heels lead to 42-40. Jarell Eddie led Virginia Tech (9-19, 2-14) with 18 points.
Miami 85, North Carolina State 70: Rion Brown scored 20 points and Miami (15-14, 6-10) pulled away to beat host North Carolina State (17-12, 7-9). The Hurricanes, the ACC’s worst shooting team, shot a season-best 58.7 percent and set a season high for scoring.
Boston College 80, Wake Forest 72: Ryan Anderson scored 24 points to help Boston College (8-21, 4-12) beat host Wake Forest (15-14, 5-11).