Virginia Returns Home to Host Green Bay

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Nov. 30, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia men’s basketball team returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 1 at John Paul Jones Arena with a nonconference game against Green Bay. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network and will be televised by Regional Sports Networks.

UVa head coach Tony Bennett starred as a player for his father, Dick Bennett, at Green Bay from 1988-92 and finished his four-year career as the Mid-Continent Conference’s all-time leader in career points (2,285) and assists (601).

Virginia defeated Green Bay, 68-42, in the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 25, 2011, in Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers, who are coming off an impressive 60-54 win at Wisconsin during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 28, bring a four-game winning streak into the game against the Phoenix.

UVa (5-2) has averaged 71.5 points per game and allowed just 51.2 ppg during its season-best winning streak.

Junior guard Joe Harris (Chelan, Wash.) and junior forward Akil Mitchell (Charlotte, N.C.) lead the way for Virginia. Harris and Mitchell are each averaging career highs in scoring and rebounding.

Harris ranks fifth in the ACC in scoring at 16 points per game after his 22-point performance at Wisconsin. Harris is also grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game to go along with his career-best 44.1 percent (15-34) three-point shooting percentage.

Mitchell is averaging 11.6 points per game and ranks fourth in the ACC with 9.4 rebounds per game. Mitchell posted his fourth career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds at Wisconsin.

Sophomore forward Darion Atkins (Clinton, Md.) has added 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and is coming off a career-high 14-point performance at Wisconsin. Forward Evan Nolte (Milton, Ga.) leads UVa freshmen at 7.6 points per game.

Senior guard Jontel Evans (Hampton, Va.) returned to action at Wisconsin and had four rebounds in 16 minutes. Evans has missed five games this season with a foot injury.

Overall, UVa is averaging 64.6 points per game and leads the ACC in scoring defense at 53.1 ppg. The Cavaliers are 5-1 when holding opponents under 50 percent shooting from the field and 5-0 when shooting 70 percent or better from the free-throw line.

Bennett sports a 58-43 record, including a 37-16 nonconference mark, in four seasons at Virginia.

Green Bay ended a three-game losing streak with a 74-59 win over North Dakota State on Nov. 24. Green Bay has also defeated Chicago State (72-67) and Southern Utah (66-54).

Sophomore guard Keifer Sykes leads the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game, while senior forward/center Brennan Cougill has added 13.3 ppg and junior forward/center Alec Brown has added 11.7 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds per game.

Brian Wardle has a 32-36 record in three seasons as head coach of the Phoenix. Green Bay was 15-15 overall and 10-8 in the Horizon League in 2011-12.

Single-game tickets for Virginia’s game with Green Bay are available and can be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased on game day at the JPJA box office starting at 2:30 p.m.

Fans may also purchase tickets for the Virginia-Green Bay game through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office by telephone and in person. The Athletics ticket office is located in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).