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Virginia Faces Georgia Tech
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Feb. 9, 2001
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The Series vs. Georgia Tech
Each team has had a stretch of dominating the series, which Georgia Tech now leads 28-25. The Cavaliers held the lead until the Yellow Jackets passed Virginia by winning 18 of the last 24 meetings, including nine of the last 11. In the first meeting of the 2000-2001 season, Georgia Tech posted a 73-68 win (Jan. 9) at University Hall. The Cavaliers snapped a five-game losing streak to Georgia Tech with an 83-65 victory at University Hall in the first meeting of the 1999-2000 season (Jan. 8). The Yellow Jackets won the second meeting last season 68-47 in Atlanta (Feb. 9).
The Cavaliers have won three of five overtime contests in the series, but their 74-68 overtime loss to Georgia Tech in the 1998-99 season snapped a three-game extra session winning streak. The Jackets won the first overtime game in the series 72-71 in triple overtime in the 1983-84 season.
The Jackets hold a 17-6 advantage in games played in Atlanta in the series and have won five consecutive games and nine of the last 10 in the Peachtree city. Virginia’s 83-60 win (Feb. 22) in Atlanta in 1995 was the Cavaliers’ most recent victory on the Yellow Jackets’ home court. The 23-point margin of victory is Virginia’s largest in the series since a 91-59 win in 1984 in Charlottesville.
The Cavaliers opened the series with Georgia Tech by winning 10 of the first 13 games, including eight straight from 1981-1983.
#6 / #9 Virginia (16-5, 5-5 ACC) vs.Georgia Tech (13-8, 5-5 ACC)
February 11, 2001 ? 1:30 p.m.
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
Atlanta, Ga.
These Games are Barn Burners
Even though 10 of the last 13 meetings between these two teams have been decided by at least nine points, people shouldn’t be surprised if this one goes down to the wire.
Of the 40 games since the 1983-84 season, only 14 have been decided by 10 or more points. Sixteen of the games have been decided by a margin of four points or less with UVa winning nine of them. The Cavaliers have won all three games (1987, 1990 twice) decided by two points. Five games have gone into overtime, including a triple overtime affair (1984) and a double overtime game (1995).
From 1985 to 1990 the teams played 15 consecutive games that were decided by fewer than 10 points with Virginia winning eight of those games.
Jackets Shoot Well vs. UVa
The Yellow Jackets have won nine of the last 11 meetings vs. Virginia in the past six seasons and a big part of those wins has been Georgia Tech’s ability to shoot the basketball. In the nine wins, the Jackets shot 48.2 percent (242-502) from the field. In the two games Georgia Tech lost to Virginia in the last six seasons, the Yellow Jackets made only 41.3 percent (43-104) of their attempts from the field. In its last nine wins over the Cavaliers, Georgia Tech averaged 80 points per game compared to 64.5 points per game in its last two losses to UVa.
In Georgia Tech’s last 18 wins over Virginia dating back to the championship game of the 1990 ACC Tournament, the Yellow Jackets are shooting 47.5 percent from the field, while averaging 75.4 points.
That is a contrast to Georgia Tech’s performance when Virginia wins. In Virginia’s eight wins over Georgia Tech dating back to the beginning of the 1990s, the Yellow Jackets have shot 40.4 percent from the floor and scored an average of 70.4 points.
In Virginia’s last eight wins against Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets have not shot better than 42.6 percent from the field (29 of 68 in the 1994-95 season).
Earlier This Season vs. Georgia Tech
In the first meeting of the season against Georgia Tech, the Cavaliers lost their first (and only) home game of the season as they dropped a 73-68 decision (Jan. 9) at University Hall.
Senior guard Donald Hand led UVa with 17 points, six assists and five rebounds. Junior forward Chris Williams added 15 points, six rebounds and three assists, while sophomore forward/center Travis Watson notched his sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Senior forward Stephane Dondon came off the bench to score 11 points, which included a nine of 10 effort from the free throw line, grab four rebounds and total two steals.
The Cavaliers led in the early portion of the game, but the Yellow Jackets came back to take a 32-26 lead with 2:41 remaining in the first half. UVa closed the opening stanza with eight consecutive points, including six free throws by Dondon, to take a 34-32 halftime lead.
Virginia led by as many as five points, 41-36, early in the second half. Georgia Tech rallied late in the game and took the lead for good, 66-65, with 3:10 left on a three-pointer by Halston Lane. The Jackets extended the lead to six points (71-65) with 48 seconds remaining when Shaun Fein made a long fade-away three-pointer as the shot clock expired.
The Cavaliers struggled from the field in the game as they shot only 35.1 percent (20-57) overall and 24.0 percent (6-25) from three-point range. UVa held a 43-32 edge in rebounds, including a 17-9 advantage on the offensive glass. The Cavaliers turned the ball over 23 times and only forced 14 Georgia Tech miscues. Fein led the Yellow Jackets with 25 points, including five three-point field goals.
Head Coach Pete Gillen
Pete Gillen is in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach and sports a 323-161 record for a .667 winning percentage. Gillen is in his third season at Virginia and has posted a 49-33 record (.598 winning percentage). Gillen won the 300th game of his career when Virginia defeated then 21st-ranked North Carolina 87-85 on January 18, 2000 at University Hall.
Gillen has led his teams to postseason play 12 times in 15 seasons (eight NCAA, four NIT). He has been selected as the conference Coach of the Year five times – all while coaching Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate Conference).
Undefeated in Non-Conference Action
The Cavaliers won all 11 of their non-conference games this season, marking the first time since the 1981-82 season Virginia has gone undefeated in non-conference regular season play. In the 1981-82 season, UVa won all 15 of its regular season non-conference games and was 30-4 overall (12-2 in the ACC).
Good Start
Virginia began the 2000-2001 season with 10 consecutive wins before falling to Wake Forest (Jan. 2), marking its best start since the 1992-93 campaign. The 1992-93 team started the season with an 11-0 record. The 10 straight wins to start this season marked the eighth time in the 96-year history of the men’s basketball program UVa won 10 games to start a season.
The Cavaliers now stand at 16-5 on the season.
The 1999-2000 Season
Virginia finished the 1999-2000 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavs advanced to postseason play for the first time since receiving a bid to the 1997 NCAA Tournament, but fell to Georgetown in the first round of the 2000 National Invitation Tournament 115-111 in triple overtime.
A Top Five Win
The Cavaliers’ 107-89 win over fourth-ranked Tennessee (Dec. 19) at the Jimmy V Classic marked the first time since the 1995 season that Virginia defeated a top-five ranked team. UVa’s last win against a top five team prior to the Tennessee victory was a 67-58 win over Kansas in the Sweet 16 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament on March 24 in Kansas City, Mo. The Jayhawks were ranked fourth in the AP poll and fifth in the USAToday/ESPN poll at the time.
The 1994-95 season was also the last time Virginia defeated two top five teams in the same season. The Cavaliers’ first top five win of the 1994-95 season was against second-ranked North Carolina (73-71) on February 19 in Charlottesville. UVa beat Kansas in the NCAA Tournament for its second top five win of the year.
The last time Virginia defeated a top five team on the road was on January 17, 1993 when UVa defeated third-ranked Duke 77-69 in Durham, N.C.
Three Consecutive ACC Victories
The Cavaliers posted three consecutive ACC wins (Clemson – Jan. 27, Maryland – Jan. 31 and Wake Forest – Feb. 3), which was one victory shy of matching UVa’s longest conference winning streak from last season. In 1999-00, UVa posted consecutive ACC wins over Clemson (Jan. 15), North Carolina (Jan. 18), Florida State (Jan. 26) and Wake Forest (Jan. 30).
Back-to-Back Wins Over Ranked ACC Teams
Virginia defeated a pair of ranked ACC teams January 31 and February 3, marking the first time since the 1994-95 season the Cavaliers defeated ranked conference opponents in consecutive games. UVa posted a 99-78 win over ninth-ranked Maryland (Jan. 31) and then defeated 16th-ranked Wake Forest (Feb. 3) 82-71.
The last time Virginia accomplished the feat was in 1995 when it defeated number two North Carolina 73-71 (Feb. 19, 1995) at home and 24th-ranked Georgia Tech 83-60 (Feb. 22, 1995) in Atlanta.
It Won’t Get Any Easier
The Cavaliers have already played five top 16 teams in conference play (and are 2-3), but still have three more ACC games against top 13 competition of which two are against top three teams. The good news, if there is any, is that Virginia played three of its top 16 conference matchups on the road and two of the three top 13 games that remain will be played at University Hall where the Cavaliers are 11-1 this season.
Home Sweet Home
Virginia has found great success at home this season, but has struggled away from the friendly confines of University Hall. The Cavaliers are 11-1 at U-Hall (4-1 in ACC games) and 5-4 away from home. UVa won its only neutral site game (Tennessee – Dec. 19), and is 4-4 in away contests. The Cavaliers are 1-4 in away conference contests.
A Rare Feat
Senior guard Donald Hand has recorded 1,413 points, 365 rebounds, 490 assists and 168 steals in his career. Hand is just the third UVa player with at least 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, 400 assists and 150 steals in a career. The other two UVa players to accomplish the feat are Othell Wilson (1981-84) – 1,469 points, 375 rebounds, 493 assists and 222 steals, and Harold Deane (1994-97) – 1,763 points, 440 rebounds, 468 assists and 179 steals.
Scoring Lots of Points
The Cavaliers are having an excellent season offensively. Through the first 21 games of the season, UVa is averaging 88.4 points per game which is second among all Atlantic Coast Conference schools and third in the nation. The school record for the highest scoring average is 89.8 points per game in the 1954-55 season.
UVa is also shooting 46.6 percent (630-1352) from the floor this season. The last time Virginia shot better than 46.6 percent from the field in a season was in the 1986-87 season when it shot 49.6 percent (888-1789) from the floor. The last time UVa shot 50 percent from the field in a season was in the 1985-86 season when the Cavaliers connected on 50.1 percent (838-1672) from the floor.
Big Wins
Thirteen of the Cavaliers 16 wins this season have been by 16 points or more. Ten of the 16 wins have been by 19 or more points. UVa’s seven-point win (88-81) over N.C. State (Jan. 6) is its smallest margin of victory this season. Virginia is outscoring its opponents in its wins by 24.1 points per game (93.4 to 69.3). Overall, UVa is outscoring its opponents by 14.2 points per game (88.4 to 74.2).
Big Leads
One of the reasons for Virginia’s success is its ability to build big leads. In 11 of Virginia’s wins this season, it built leads of 20 or more points. In two Cavalier victories (VMI – Dec. 4 and UMBC – Dec. 23), they led by at least 18 points. In its wins over Missouri (Jan. 20) and Wake Forest (Feb. 3), Virginia led by as many as 15 points. UVa’s smallest lead in a win was 10 points (N.C. State – Jan. 6).
The exact opposite is true in UVa’s five losses this season. The Cavaliers’ biggest lead in a loss is five points (Georgia Tech – Jan. 9 and North Carolina – Jan. 24). In its loss to N.C. State (Feb. 7), Virginia’s largest lead was three points, while against Wake Forest (Jan. 2), Virginia’s largest lead was two points. UVa never led in its loss to Duke (Jan. 13).
Raining Threes
Virginia turned in three of its best long range shooting performances of the season recently. Against Florida State (Jan. 16), the Cavaliers converted 11 of 23 three-point attempts (47.8 percent) with the 11 threes setting a season high at the time. Against Clemson (Jan. 27), UVa made a season-best 12 three-point field goals on 24 attempts (50 percent). In their win over Maryland (Jan. 31), the Cavaliers made 10 of 20 three-point attempts (50 percent).
Being Outshot
Virginia got off to a great start shooting the basketball this season, but has managed to shoot 50 percent only three times in its last 11 games. UVa’s opponents have reached 50 percent shooting seven times this year and six times in the last 11 games. On the season, UVa is outshooting it opponents 46.6 percent to 46.0 percent in all games, but the Cavaliers are being outshot 50.8 percent to 44.3 percent in ACC contests.
Defense the Key
The Cavaliers got off to a slow start in ACC play as they won only one of their first four and two of six conference contests. Virginia has won three of its last four ACC games and much of the Cavaliers recent success can be attributed to better defense. In UVa’s last three ACC wins, the Cavaliers have held their opponent under 50 percent shooting from the field. In the last game, a 90-80 loss (Feb. 7), N.C. State shot 56.6 percent (30-53) which snapped UVa’s three-game streak of holding opponents under 50 percent shooting.
In its five ACC wins, Virginia is holding its opponents to 47.1 percent shooting (138-293), while in five conference losses, the Cavaliers’ opponents are shooting 54.5 percent (162-297).
The Cavaliers are 4-0 when they outshoot their ACC opponent and just 1-5 when they are outshot by their conference foes.
On the season, UVa’s ACC opponents are shooting 50.8 percent (300-590) from the field, down from the 55.1 percent the Cavaliers’ first six conference opponents shot this season.
Overcoming a Deficit
In addition to being able to build big leads, Virginia showed its ability to overcome a deficit in its 88-81 victory over N.C. State (Jan. 6). The Cavaliers trailed by 11 points (55-44) with 15:54 to go in the game, but outscored the Wolfpack 44-26 the rest of the way to earn an 88-81 victory.
50 Point Halves
Virginia has put together 15 50-plus point halves this season in 21 games (42 halves) – that translates to 35.7 percent of the halves in which UVa has reached 50 points. Last season, the Cavaliers only had seven 50-plus point halves in 31 games (62 halves) – or 11.3 percent.
Finally 50 Percent
After shooting 26.8 percent (19-71) from the field against Duke (Jan. 13), the Cavaliers more than doubled their shooting percentage against Florida State (Jan. 16). In the win over the Seminoles, UVa shot an impressive 55.7 percent (34-61) from the field – that’s an increase of 28.9 percent. UVa’s 55.7 percent performance also snapped a streak of four consecutive games Virginia shot under 50 percent. During that span, UVa was 88-246 (35.8 percent) from the field.
Against Clemson (Jan. 27), the Cavaliers shot 57.4 percent (39-68), marking the first time since February 14, 1998, UVa has shot better than 50 percent in an ACC contest on the road. In that game, UVa shot 52.2 percent (36-69) but lost to Georgia Tech 105-86 in Atlanta, Ga.
50 Percent in Back-to-Back ACC Games
In addition to shooting 57.4 percent (39-68) against Clemson (Jan. 27), the Cavaliers shot 52.9 percent (36-68) against Maryland (Jan. 31). It marked the first time in 11 years (almost to the day) that Virginia shot 50 percent or better in back-to-back ACC games. In the 1990-91 season, UVa shot 56.6 percent (43-76) in a 104-72 win over N.C. State (Jan. 29), and then shot exactly 50 percent (33-66) in an 83-80 win over Wake Forest (Feb. 2). Both games were played in Charlottesville.
20/20
The Cavaliers defeated both Clemson and Maryland by more than 20 points (UVa won at Clemson 104-76 – Jan. 27, and defeated Maryland 99-78 at University Hall – Jan. 31). The last time Virginia posted back-to-back 20-plus point ACC wins was in the 1993-94 season. In the 1993-94 season, the Cavaliers defeated Florida State 84-64 (Jan. 6, 1994) and then beat N.C. State 79-58 (Jan. 9, 1994). Both games were played in Charlottesville.
Second Half Shooting Surge
The Cavaliers are 5-2 in their last seven games and a lot of that has to do with UVa’s shooting in the second half. In the last seven games, Virginia shot 57 percent (126-221) in the second half and averaged 51.7 points. In three of the seven games, UVa has shot better than 60 percent in the second half – Florida State (Jan. 16) – 64.5 percent (20-31), Clemson (Jan. 27) – 66.7 percent (22-33), and Maryland (Jan. 31) – 64.5 percent (20-31).
Conversely, in the first half of the last seven games, UVa shot 39.3 percent (84-214) and averaged 36.9 points.
100 Points on the Road
Virginia scored 104 points in its victory over Clemson (Jan. 27) and it marked the first time since the 1982-83 season the Cavaliers reached the century mark in an ACC road game. The last time Virginia scored 100 points in an ACC away game was on March 2, 1983 when the Cavaliers defeated Wake Forest 107-74 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum and Memorial Coliseum both served as home courts for the Deacs).
50 Points
Virginia has held three of its opponents to 50 points or less this season. UVa limited Virginia Tech to 48 points in its 64-48 victory (Nov. 24) for its season low. Virginia held Bucknell to 49 points in a 99-49 victory (Dec. 28) and Long Island University to 50 points in a 96-50 triumph (Nov. 17).
When UVa limited Virginia Tech to 48 points, it marked the fewest points the Cavaliers have allowed in a game under head coach Pete Gillen. The previous record for fewest points allowed in a game under Gillen was 50 by Dartmouth last season (Jan. 2, 2000) and Long Island University earlier this season (Nov. 17).
Prior to holding Virginia Tech to 48 points, UVa’s opponents were averaging 75.8 points per game during Gillen’s tenure. Virginia held the Hokies nearly 28 points below that average.
117
Virginia’s offense was rolling in its victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). The Cavaliers lit up the scoreboard in the 117-78 victory with the 117 points tying for the fourth highest single game output in school history. UVa also scored 117 points against Baldwin-Wallace (117-83) in the 1972 season. The school record for points in a game is 128 vs. George Mason (128-98) in 1995. The second highest output is 124 points against Johns Hopkins (124-60) in the 1983 season, while the third highest point total is 118 vs. BYU-Hawaii (118-84) in the 1982 season.
The Cavaliers’ 117 points are the most the team has scored since a 115-111 triple overtime loss to Georgetown in last season’s NIT.
70
Virginia scored 70 points in the second half of its 117-78 victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20), which is believed to be a school record for points in a half. The previous known high for points in a half was 69 in the second half of UVa’s 128-98 victory over George Mason on January 28, 1995. Virginia scored 67 points in the second half of a 124-60 win against Johns Hopkins on November 26, 1982.
Only One Steal
The Cavaliers had just one steal in their 96-73 loss at Wake Forest (Jan. 2). The last time UVa had only one steal in a game was against Duke on March 5, 1998. It wasn’t the fewest steals ever in a game against the Deacs, as UVa went without a steal against Wake Forest on January 4, 1998.
Equalling a Foul Record
Virginia committed 35 personal fouls in its loss at N.C. State (Feb. 7) which ties the school record for most personal fouls committed in a game. The Cavaliers also committed 35 fouls against Duke on February 4, 1984. UVa’s previous 2000-01 season high for fouls was 28 vs. Tennessee (Dec. 19).
Scoring in Double Figures
All five of Virginia’s regular starters are averaging double figures in scoring in overall games this season, and four of the five are in double digits in ACC play as well.
Consistency
Junior forward Chris Williams has quietly been UVa’s most consistent player this season. Williams has reached double figures in scoring in the last 18 games and in 19 of 21 this season (the two games he failed to reach double figures in scoring, he had nine points). In addition to his scoring, Williams has also been a consistent rebounder. He has pulled down six or more rebounds in 16 of 21 contests. Williams registered double-doubles in consecutive contests (Missouri – Jan. 20 and North Carolina – Jan. 24).
On the season, Williams is leading the team (fifth in the ACC) in scoring with an average of 15.2 points per game (ninth in the ACC) and 16.0 points per game in ACC contests (eighth in the ACC). He is second on the team in rebounds with 6.4 per game (10th in the ACC). Williams leads the team in field goal percentage (minimum of five made field goals per game) at 53.1 percent (112-211) and is second in steals (30). Williams is also fifth in free throw percentage (76.6 percent, 72-94).
The Shooting Touch
Junior forward Chris Williams is on a torrid shooting streak over the last five games. In his last five outings, Williams is shooting 59.1 percent (26-44) from the field, including an outstanding 69.2 percent (9-13) mark from beyond the three-point arc. He is averaging 15.8 points per game during the five-game span.
Williams has been an excellent shooter throughout his career. He is shooting 51.5 percent (473-919) from the floor in his three years and is shooting a career-best 53.1 percent (112-211) this season.
Hand Equals Career High in Assists
Senior guard Donald Hand dished out 11 assists in the Cavaliers’ 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20) to tie his career high. He also recorded 11 assists last season against Hampton (Dec. 10, 1999).
Getting Better With Age
Each year senior guard Donald Hand has increased his single season high in assists. He had 99 assists as a freshman in 1997-98 and 123 as a sophomore in 1998-99. As a junior in 1999-2000, Hand increased his single season high to 133. After only 21 games this season, Hand has already established a new single season best with 135 assists. With nine more assists, Hand will move into UVa’s top 10 for single season assists. Cory Alexander holds the 10th spot with 144 assists in the 1992-93 season. Alexander and Jeff Jones share eighth place with 145 assists apiece in the 1991-92 and 1980-81 seasons, respectively.
Hall Sets Rebounding Mark
Junior forward/guard Adam Hall grabbed 17 rebounds against Wake Forest (Feb. 3), including 11 in the second half. Hall’s 17 rebounds is not only a career best, but the most by a UVa player since Junior Burrough pulled down 19 rebounds against Florida State on February 4, 1995.
Hall’s previous career best was 12 rebounds against Clemson (Jan. 27) earlier this season. His 17 rebounds also ties for the second most by an ACC player this season. Over the last four games, Hall has pulled down 42 rebounds for an average of 10.5 per game.
Overcoming Great Shooting
The Cavaliers defeated N.C. State (Jan. 6) 88-81 despite the Wolfpack shooting 61.2 percent (30-49) in the game. Virginia opponents shot better than 60 percent in a game 46 times through the years and UVa has won nine of those contests. The previous time Virginia defeated an opponent that shot 60 percent or better in a game was Missouri (64-62) on February 9, 1986. The Tigers shot exactly 60 percent (30-50) from the field in the game. The previous ACC opponent UVa defeated that shot 60 percent or better in a game was Clemson (77-70) on February 21, 1984. Clemson shot 67.5 percent (27-40) in the game.
Mathis Named ACC Rookie of the Week
Freshman forward J.C. Mathis has been selected as the ACC Co-Rookie of the Week for his play in UVa’s wins over ninth-ranked Maryland (99-78 – Jan. 31) and 16th-ranked Wake Forest (82-71 – Feb. 3). He shares the award with N.C. State’s Trey Guidry. Mathis, who played a career-high 22 minutes, played a crucial role in UVa’s win over Wake Forest (Feb. 3). He filled in very well for an injured Travis Watson, who missed the final six minutes of the first half and the first three minutes of the second half before returning to the game. Mathis scored a career-high eight points on three of four shooting from the field and two for two from the free throw line against Wake. His previous career high was seven points versus VMI (Dec. 4). Mathis also equalled his career high with four rebounds.
Six Different Leading Scorers
Virginia has had six different players lead the team in scoring in games this season: (only the first time a player led the team in scoring is listed with the number of times a player led the team in scoring in parentheses)
No Turnovers Times Two
In Virginia’s 88-81 loss to North Carolina (Jan. 24), senior guard Donald Hand did not commit a turnover while dishing out nine assists. It marks the second time this season Hand did not commit a turnover in a game and the fourth time in his career. In UVa’s 98-79 win over Purdue (Nov. 29), Hand handed out eight assists and did not commit a turnover. The other no turnover games came last season against Clemson (Jan. 15) – 5 assists, 0 turnovers, and Florida State (Jan. 26) – 3 assists, 0 turnovers.
Truly a Charity Stripe
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., has made the most of his free throw attempts this season. Mason made 45 consecutive free throw attempts before missing his third attempt against N.C. State (Jan. 6). Mason was just three free throws shy of equalling Jeff Lamp’s 1979-80 school record of 48 consecutive made free throws. On the season, Mason has made 93-108 (86.1 percent) free throw attempts, which is second in the ACC.
Against UMBC (Dec. 23), Mason made all 14 of his free throw attempts and his perfect effort tied the second best free throw performance by a UVa player in a game. Bryant Stith made all 14 of his free throws against Georgia Tech on January 21, 1990. Buzzy Wilkinson holds the school record with a perfect 17 for 17 effort against Washington & Lee on January 14, 1955. Mason’s 14-14 effort against UMBC ties for the sixth best performance in NCAA Division I this season.
With his 86.1 percent (93-108) accuracy from the free throw line this season, Mason is just behind Jeff Lamp’s school record for free throw percentage in a single season. Lamp made 154-178 free throws for 86.5 percent in the 1980-81 season. Mason has made 156-185 free throws in his career for a mark of 84.3 percent, which is also just shy of Lamp’s UVa career free throw percentage of 84.9 percent (635-748).
Mason’s streak of 45 consecutive free throws made began against Purdue (Nov. 29) when he made his last four free throws (he was five for six in the game). Mason was two for two against VMI (Dec. 4), four for four versus Ohio (Dec. 6), and nine for nine against Tennessee (Dec. 19). He was 14-14 against UMBC (Dec. 23), before going three for three against Bucknell (Dec. 28). Against Dartmouth (Dec. 30), Mason was four for four from the line and he made three free throws versus Wake Forest (Jan. 2). He made his first two free throws against N.C. State (Jan. 6) before seeing his streak end at 45.
Mason Sets Career Highs
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., set career highs for points and assists in a game in UVa’s 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). Mason tallied 28 points on 10 of 14 shooting from the field, including a two-for-three effort from three-point range, and he also made six of seven free throws.