Virginia
Five takeaways from Virginia lacrosse’s 19-12 win over #9 North Carolina
Fairly matter-of-factly, the Virginia Cavaliers dealt with the #9 North Carolina Tar Heels with a 19-12 win that re-stamped their authority as one of many nation’s greatest. Even with out Connor Shellenberger lively, the Wahoo offense flowed effectively all through the sport because the UVA protection hounded UNC for all 4 quarters.
With the win, we’ve acquired 5 takeaways for the Cavaliers transferring ahead.
Virginia dominates with superior physicality
If there was one theme that was current all through yesterday’s sixty minute mud bathtub, it was how UVA merely out-toughed UNC all recreation lengthy. Whether or not it was for 50-50 floor balls, when North Carolina was dodging, or when the ‘Hoos tried to battle the muck and the rain to get a step offensively, Virginia merely dominated the Tar Heels with superior athleticism and straight up higher effort.
UVA picked up 42 floor balls in comparison with North Carolina’s 28 together with a 24-11 benefit on unfastened balls not off the face-off. Moreover, the Wahoos compelled seven turnovers and held the Tar Heels to only a 78.9% profitable clearing charge.
Past the team-wide stats, the way in which UVA’s protection hounded North Carolina’s offensive gamers was a sight to see. The physicality of Cade Saustad (two precipitated turnovers, two floor balls), Cole Kastner (one ct, two gbs), Quentin Matsui (two gbs), Scott Bower (4 gbs), Mitchell Whalen (4 gbs), Evan Zinn (one purpose), Grayson Sallade (two cts, 4 gbs, one help), Noah Chizmar (1 ct, 1 gb), Tommy McNeal (1 gb, 1 ct), and others was unimaginable to look at and their mixed tenacity was fully unequalled, even in opposition to a top-10 convention opponent.
After a recreation in opposition to Duke the place it felt just like the Blue Devils managed the sport with their physicality regardless of the ugly situations, such a efficiency from the Cavaliers is an immensely optimistic signal which factors to how they’ll overwhelm opponents not simply with their ability, but in addition with their excessive dimension, power, and pace.
Matt Nunes has arguably his greatest recreation of the season
Saving 12 pictures whereas permitting 11 targets (52.2%), Virginia goalie Matt Nunes had arguably the perfect recreation of his season yesterday. Whereas he’s had video games with higher save percentages and extra vital stops in nearer contests, the standard of saves he had in opposition to North Carolina was significantly excessive.
He guessed on a couple of pictures that resulted in targets early. However, general, Nunes prevented UNC from ever climbing again into rivalry and made quite a lot of goal-robbing stops on the doorstep to quash any potential momentum for the Heels.
A assured Matt Nunes is hard to beat within the cage. If he can preserve stringing collectively optimistic outings like this and the previous few video games he’s performed, the ceiling for Virginia’s protection rises meaningfully.
UVA toes the road in transition
With Shellenberger out for this recreation with a decrease physique damage that has him everyday, UVA’s offense was going to wish to supply in transition and in unsettled alternatives. Notably after a couple of video games the place the ‘Hoos made a couple of too many unforced errors when taking part in a tad too reckless in transition, the way in which Virginia managed to attain targets off the face-off or off turnovers was a giant distinction maker yesterday.
Petey LaSalla’s pair of targets (his first since February), Evan Zinn’s transition rating off a heroic Grayson Sallade floor ball and help, and even Cole Kasnter’s 10-man experience breaking purpose have been all huge boosts for the Wahoos.
Moreover, correct aggression from the offense generated sufficient targets early in offensive possessions to account for Shellenberger’s absence. Payton Cormier (5 targets, two assists) and Xander Dickson (three targets, one help) have been significantly efficient in unsettled play as their high quality resolution making and environment friendly ending constructed an eight-goal first half lead which the Cavaliers by no means relinquished.
Wahoo offense can produce with out Shellenberger
Even in settled offense, the way in which UVA’s initiators have been ready to attract assist and discover the again of the online with out Shellenberger within the lineup is a sign of the multitude of dynamic items this offense has. Virginia’s 12 assists on 19 targets and 52.8% (!!!) capturing from the sphere have been proof of a very efficient workforce offense.
To not point out, they did it in opposition to among the best workforce defenses within the nation. Coming into yesterday’s recreation, the Heels have been permitting simply 8.5 targets per recreation. In ho-hum vogue, UVA put up 19 whereas taking the air out of the ball for many of the fourth quarter. On prime of that, North Carolina has allowed targets on simply 19.6% of defensive possessions this season. In yesterday’s recreation, Virginia scored targets on a whopping 39.6% of possessions. That’s simply absurd effectivity, and so they did it with out the workforce’s greatest participant!
Subsequent Saturday’s recreation versus Duke looms massive
If there’s one factor Lars Tiffany’s groups might be counted on for, it’s responding effectively after a loss. With yesterday’s victory, Virginia has now gained the sport after a loss 18 consecutive instances. This season, losses in opposition to Maryland and Duke have spurred huge wins in opposition to extremely ranked convention opponents in Notre Dame and North Carolina the next week.
After all, past the fireplace that this workforce performs with after a defeat, UVA continues to be making an attempt to keep up the elite degree of play that noticed them beat #2 Notre Dame by 5 in South Bend, #6 Johns Hopkins by 5 in Baltimore, and #9 North Carolina by seven in Chapel Hill. That pair of losses to the Terps and the Blue Devils is proof that there’s nonetheless room for the Wahoos to enhance.
They’re undoubtedly within the higher echelon of groups in faculty lacrosse this season. However can they rise to the highest come Memorial Day Weekend? Subsequent Saturday’s rematch with Duke in Durham will present one other reference level for the NCAA Match because the Cavaliers look to place themselves for the absolute best seed and hope to finish Duke’s 17-game common season win streak.
The final game of the 2024 regular season is here. West Virginia will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock this afternoon, looking for win No. 7. Can they get it? Here are our predictions for the game.
West Virginia’s pass defense is going to be tested today, with Behren Morton slinging it all over the place. Morton puts up big numbers, but a lot of his passes come out of the quick game with some shots mixed in. Tech plays at a very high-tempo and West Virginia has struggled against offenses that have turned it up a notch this season, most notably Pitt.
While Texas Tech’s pass defense is even worse than West Virginia’s, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Mountaineers will have their way through the air. Without Traylon Ray and Jaden Bray, WVU will be a little shorthanded at receiver, and unit as a whole has struggled to win versus man coverage all season long.
West Virginia can’t afford to let Texas Tech dictate the tempo and flow of this game. If they try to play to Tech’s speed, they’ll get boatraced. They have to do everything they can to hold onto the football and milk the clock to limit possessions.
WVU hangs in, but Texas Tech comes out victorious.
Prediction record: 7-4.
Texas Tech is looking to secure its first eight-win regular season since 2009 on Saturday. The Red Raiders started the season 5-1 but have since dropped three of their last five games, although they did go into Ames and knock off an, a then, 11th-ranked Iowa State team.
West Virginia has seen more lows than highs this season, considering the expectations in and surrounding the program. However, the Mountaineers are determined to close out the regular season with a win.
Texas Tech has been really good in Lubbock at regular season finales and are 10-2, including an eight-game winning streak in those games. Meanwhile, West Virginia head coach Neal Brown is 4-0 during Thanksgiving week, which generally falls on the regular season finale, but during the COVID season, the Mountaineers eventually wrapped up the regular season in Ames on December 5th. However, there was a scheduled game against Oklahoma on Dec. 12 in Morgantown, but the game was canceled. So, lets stick with the Thanksgiving week stat.
Neal Brown captured his first win against Texas Tech in Morgantown last year after dropping the first four meetings.
The Red Raiders will be motivated for redemption on the toughness of running back Thaj Brooks. The senior has rushed for over 100 yards in all 10 of his appearances this season, tallying 1,317 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Behren Morton has been solid for Texas Tech this season, throwing for 2,976 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Despite all their offensive success, the defense, like West Virginia’s, has been their downfall. It’s hard to believe there’s been worse defense than the Mountaineers, but the Red Raiders are in contention with Oklahoma State to take the title of “Big 12’s Worst Defense”.
In what I believed to be a ‘toss up’ game from the beginning of the season holds true today. I don’t like the stats against WVU in this one with Tech’s home success and recent series history, but like last week, I’m going with the intangible Garrett Greene.
The Mountaineers did not necessarily need heroics in last week’s win against UCF, but they will more than likely need some big plays down the stretch to steal the victory and I don’t believe will allow it to happen.
Garrett Greene has a big fourth quarter while running backs CJ Donalson and Jahiem White pound the rock in the running game and steal a victory in Lubbock 37-34.
Prediction record: 7-4.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
What Darian DeVries Said Following the Win Over No. 24 Arizona
Rapid Reactions to West Virginia’s Overtime Win Over Arizona
WVU Reveals Uniform Combo for Regular Season Finale vs. Texas Tech
Can West Virginia Finish Strong? ESPN FPI Reveals Chances to Beat Texas Tech
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia National Guard (VNG) soldiers returned home from deployment in Poland on Wednesday — just in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families.
The soldiers were assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group and reunited with family, friends and VNG senior leaders on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
These reunions came after the soldiers had been serving on federal active duty since March of this year.
The 529th was based at Forward Operating Site in Karliki, Poland and was responsible for supply missions, logistics and maintenance. They also serve as a headquarters element for Task Force Cavalier, which oversees operations and training for over 550 soldiers from 4 different subordinate units from active-duty Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
Among the people there to greet the returning soldiers and thank them for their service was Major General James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia and Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard — the VNG Director of the Joint Staff.
“You showed tremendous resiliency,” said Lt. Col. Carlos Maldonado, commander of TF Cavalier at the TOA. “You overcame and absolutely crushed the mission. Through it all, Cavalier you persevered.”
To learn more about what their deployment entailed, click here.
Continue scrolling to see photos of the soldiers returning home to their families:
It’s the final day of the Battle 4 Atlantis and the West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping to leave the Bahamas with a third-place finish in the event. Winning the whole thing would have been extremely impressive considering the field, but Darian DeVries’ squad has already notched a key resume-building win over Gonzaga and can do so again today against No. 24 Arizona.
Here are my picks for today’s game. Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
1 Star – Not very confident
2 Star – A little confident
3 Star – Fairly confident
4 Star – Very confident
5 Star – Should be a lock to happen
3-star play on Arizona (-6.5): This is a really tough matchup for the Mountaineers playing its third game in three days. When these two meet later in the year, I believe WVU will put together a much stronger showing and potentially even win the game. Not there, though.
The Wildcats have a nine-man rotation, which occasionally will be a ten-man. WVU’s key players have logged a ton of minutes over the last two days, with both games going to overtime. As evidenced in yesterday’s game, if the Mountaineers face serious foul trouble, it impacts them more than most teams due to a lack of depth. Amani Hansberry should be able to produce a third straight big game, but if he starts picking up fouls left and right, WVU will be in trouble. Arizona’s guard-heavy lineup will attack and finish around the rim with ease.
I’ve got the Wildcats pulling away with a strong second half.
1-star play on the under: Arizona is a high-scoring team that likes to push the tempo. They’ve averaged 67 field goal attempts in this tournament, whereas WVU has attempted 59 and 63 in games that went to overtime. For West Virginia to win, they’re going to have to slow things down when they have the ball, much like they did in the opening-round game against Gonzaga.
I mentioned fatigue setting in as a possibility in the WVU-Louisville game yesterday, and although Darian DeVries isn’t using that as an excuse, you can tell it played a factor for both teams, especially in the first half. Both squads looked sloppy, slow, and disjointed. I seriously doubt WVU and Arizona will have an extra bounce in their step today, playing for the third time in three days and in a game deciding who takes home third place.
ATS: 3-3 (50%)
O/U: 4-2 (66%)
Overall: 7-5 (58%)
Odds Disclaimer
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Everything Darian DeVries Said Following West Virginia’s Overtime Loss to Louisville
How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona
Big 12 Score Predictions for the Final Week of the Regular Season
Can West Virginia Finish Strong? ESPN FPI Reveals Chances to Beat Texas Tech
Tre Johnson, Kadin Shedrick power Texas in 90-68 victory over Delaware State
Private Japanese moon lander arrives in Florida ahead of January SpaceX launch (photos)
Fans Blast College Football Overtime Rules After Eight-OT Georgia-Georgia Tech Battle
Over a year after Lahaina fires, Native Hawaiian homeowners hit another breaking point
As Idaho Aims to Increase Student ‘Go On’ Rates, Apprenticeships Can Help
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Abortions slightly declined the year Roe v. Wade was overturned, CDC says
Ukrainian men face sexual torture in Russian detention centres: UN
Reporter Journal: A sunrise trek through wild solitude in New York City
Present and Accounted For: House Republicans' small majority could make attendance a priority
Zelenskyy: NATO membership must be based on Ukraine's legal borders
-
Health1 week agoHoliday gatherings can lead to stress eating: Try these 5 tips to control it
-
Science4 days agoDespite warnings from bird flu experts, it's business as usual in California dairy country
-
Health5 days agoCheekyMD Offers Needle-Free GLP-1s | Woman's World
-
Technology3 days agoLost access? Here’s how to reclaim your Facebook account
-
Sports1 week agoBehind Comcast's big TV deal: a bleak picture for once mighty cable industry
-
Entertainment2 days agoReview: A tense household becomes a metaphor for Iran's divisions in 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'
-
Science1 week ago
Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health?
-
Technology1 day agoUS agriculture industry tests artificial intelligence: 'A lot of potential'
