Seattle U vs Virginia

By Gary Hill

 

Seattle U (2-7) vs Virginia Cavaliers (9-1, 0-0 ACC)

Key Arena (Seattle, WA)

Wednesday December 21, 2011 7:10 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- SU 1-0

Last Meeting- Wednesday, December 22nd 2010- SU Win- 59-53

Scouting Virginia:

A fast start has helped push Tony Bennett’s team to a 24th ranking in the AP poll. Defense has always been the calling card for Bennett coached teams and this particular version of the Cavaliers plays it very well. They are 2nd in the nation in scoring defense (48.5 points per game) and they allow only 37.2% shooting from the field. The Cavaliers finished 16-15 (7-9 ACC) last year, but return 4 starters and Preseason ACC standout Mike Scott. Scott played just a handful of games last year and received a medical redshirt after an ankle injury. The veteran Virginia club has taken care of a soft non-conference schedule with the exception of a 70-58 win over a ranked Michigan team. They beat Oregon the last time out 67-54 in Eugene. The game against Oregon was their first true road game of the season. Virginia was picked 4th in the preseason ACC poll.

The Ones to Watch:

Mike Scott- 6’8 237 SR F- 15.5 ppg 9.5 rbds 2 assts

Scott may be the best forward Seattle U will face all year. He is a double-double machine who crushed opponents on the glass. He is one of the leaders in the country in rebounds (9.5 a game) and field goal shooting (59%). He is a tremendous college basketball player. He will provide a matchup nightmare for Seattle U. He went for 17 and 13 against Oregon his last time out and he has already picked-up 4 double-doubles this year. He punishes teams for fouling him by shooting 80% from the stripe.

Joe Harris- 6’6 211 SO G- 12.5 ppg 4 rbds 1.5 assts

Harris gets a rare chance to play in front of family and friends versus Seattle U. The Chelan, WA native was the Gatorade State Player of the Year his senior year. He averaged a staggering 26.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 4.4 steals and 1.6 blocks a game. He is the only other Cavalier to average double-digit scoring. He doesn’t miss free-throws (30-33) and is a good 3-point shooter.

Keys to the Game:

1- Free-Throws- The last 5 game average- SU (8-12.8) Opponents (21.6-30.6).

2- Keep Scott away from the basket. He is a matchup nightmare and he can do big damage in the paint.

3- Find ways to score. Scoring against Virginia is hard and SU must find a way.

Numbers to Know:

– 1984- The last time Virginia played in Seattle, losing 49-47 in OT to the Hakeem Olajuwon led Houston in the National Semi-Finals. Virginia was led by Olden Plynice and Rick Carlisle.

– 1978 – The last time SU hosted a ranked team- Losing to San Francisco 96-85.

-1974- The last time SU beat a ranked team at home- UNLV 82-64.

-5-1- Bennett’s record in Seattle.

-3-0- Bennett’s record at Key Arena

Join us on 710 ESPN Seattle for tip at 7:10pm. Seattle U looks to take down the Cavs for the second year in a row.