ACC Roundup - Cavs Pull An Upset

We’ve said (more than once) that while we don’t much care for Virginia’s style, we definitely respect it. There’s a certain visceral thrill in watching the Cavaliers force their betters to play in the molasses, to keep the score low and to almost always be within a basket or two at worst.

There’s a French term (there’s some argument that it’s actually an English attempt at a French word but still) that applies here: Jolie-laide: essentially something that’s both ugly and beautiful.

That’s Bennett Ball.

And usually, with rare exceptions, it’s Virginia coming out on top. It didn’t happen last spring against Syracuse in the Elite Eight and it sure didn’t happen against UNC recently in Chapel Hill.

Well it did in Charlottesville Monday night.

Virginia held UNC to 35.4% from the floor and the taller, more physical Heels got to the foul line just seven times.

Not that UVA shot any better: the Cavs barely cleared 32%, but did hit 10-24 from three point range.

UNC’s last basket came with 5:40 left in the game. The last shot before that? 9:46. UNC missed 11 of its last 12 attempts.

Justin Jackson, who has spent some time in JJ Land lately was held to just 1-6 from deep.

In short, an ugly game, a beautiful win.

That’s Virginia basketball for you.

In our opinion, no teams in the ACC, with the possible exception of Georgia Tech, have earned more respect this season than Miami and Virginia Tech. Both teams have overcome a great deal and shown tremendous grit. Someone had to yield though and on Monday, it was Miami.

The Hokies prevailed 66-61 and Ty Outlaw - averaging 5 ppg - had a freak night, hitting 8-10 three pointers. Seth Allen was the only other player to hit double figures with 12.

For Miami, Bruce Brown, who was so devastating against Duke, was held to just 3-8 and eight points.

After the game coach Buzz Williams praised his rising star saying "[h]e's a good player, isn't he? I like guys that can do multiple things. At this level, you have to be elite in some category. Obviously, he's elite as a shooter."

Apparently so.

Barry Jacobs has a column up at the N&O about State’s search and what the Pack is up against and how hard it is to keep a program going these days.

We’re pleased to see this: WRAL’s Jared Fialko is pushing NCCU’s LeVelle Moton for the State job. Over at SBNation, Mike Rutherford makes the case for UNCW’s Kevin Keatts.

• Downsizing pays big dividends for No. 23 Virginia
• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Re: Is NC State losing the branding game?
• State should take a long look at LeVelle
• Georgia Tech Basketball Hosts Pittsburgh for Senior Night
• Ratcliffe: Guy, Perrantes spark Cavaliers' upset
• UVa men's basketball defeats UNC, 53-43
• Virginia Tech clinches first-round bye in ACC men's tourney with win over No. 25 Miami
• McFarling: Bun of steel, Kyle Guy gives Hoos a hair-raising boost
• Back home, UVa knocks off No. 5 UNC 53-43
• Downsizing pays big dividends for No. 23 Virginia
• Bracketology: Syracuse now 1st team out, slumping Xavier joins the bubble
• Perceptions make it clear: Pitt, Georgia Tech going in opposite directions this season
• Stallings hopeful for Luther's return, bench depth