Cavaliers Host Seminoles in ACC Action

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Jan. 18, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia hosts Florida State in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 19. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 4 p.m.

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

The Cavaliers (11-5, 1-2 ACC) look to end their seven-game losing streak against Florida State. Virginia dropped a pair of three-point games against the Seminoles last season, losing 58-55 in Tallahassee and 63-60 in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers’ last win against Florida State was a 73-70 decision on Feb. 17, 2007, at John Paul Jones Arena. Florida State leads the all-time series, 21-17, but Virginia is 11-8 against the Seminoles in Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers opened ACC action with a 61-52 win over North Carolina, but have lost back-to-back road contests at Wake Forest (55-52) and Clemson (59-44).

Virginia ranks in the top six nationally in six defensive categories, highlighted by its second-ranked scoring defense at 51.6 points per game. The Cavaliers have held their last four opponents under 60 points. Offensively, Virginia is averaging 62.4 points per game and shooting 45 percent from the field.

Junior guard Joe Harris (Chelan, Wash.) leads Virginia in scoring with a career-high 15.1 points per game, while junior forward Akil Mitchell(Charlotte, N.C.) is averaging career highs in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg). Harris ranks second in the ACC in three-point field goal accuracy at 45.9 percent, while Mitchell ranks fourth in rebounding.

Senior point guard Jontel Evans(Hampton, Va.) leads Virginia with 3.2 assists per game. Evans has played three straight games after missing nine of the first 13 games with a foot injury.

Forward Evan Nolte (Milton, Ga.) leads Virginia freshmen in scoring at 6.7 points per game, while forward/center Mike Tobey(Monroe, N.Y.) has added 6.4 ppg. Nolte has made at least one three-pointer in five consecutive games, while Tobey led Virginia with 14 points at Wake Forest.

Cavalier head coach Tony Bennettsports a 64-46 record, including a 0-4 mark against Florida State. Bennett guided the Cavaliers to the 2012 NCAA Tournament as UVa finished 22-10.

Florida State (10-6, 2-1 ACC) returns to action after suffering a 77-72 home loss to North Carolina last Saturday. The Seminoles opened the ACC season with road wins at Clemson (71-66) and Maryland (65-62).

The Seminoles average 73 points per game and allow 67.9 ppg. Senior guard Michael Snaer leads the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game, while junior forward Okaro White is averaging 13.4 ppg. Redshirt junior forward Terrance Shannon has added 8.9 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game.

Head coach Leonard Hamilton sports a 189-122 record in 11 seasons at Florida State and 389-343 career mark in 25 seasons.

Single-game tickets for Virginia’s game against Florida State 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-Florida State game through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office by telephone and in person. The 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).

The Cavaliers continue ACC action at Virginia Tech on Thursday, Jan. 24.