Virginia Hosts Boston College on Saturday

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Jan. 25, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s basketball team hosts Boston College in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Saturday, Jan. 26. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 1 p.m.

The game will be televised by Regional Sports Networks (Comcast SportsNet in Virginia) and broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network.

Virginia (13-5, 3-2 ACC) has a two-game winning streak and is coming off its first ACC road win of the season at Virginia Tech on Jan. 24. The Cavaliers beat the Hokies, 74-58, shooting 11-of-23 from 3-point range and receiving a career-high 18 points from freshman Evan Nolte (Milton, Ga.).

Boston College (9-9, 1-4) returns to action after suffering a 64-59 loss at Maryland on Jan. 22. Nine of Boston College’s 18 games have been decided by five points or less.

Virginia is 8-6 all-time against Boston College in a series that dates back to 1971-72. The Cavaliers are 4-2 against the Eagles in Charlottesville, including a 2-2 mark at JPJA. Virginia defeated Boston College, 66-49, in the only meeting between the teams last season.

The Cavaliers have held all five of its ACC opponents under 60 points and rank in the top 10 nationally in seven defensive categories, highlighted by its second-ranked scoring defense of 51.1 points per game. The Cavaliers have held their last six opponents under 60 points. Offensively Virginia is averaging 62.7 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point land.

Junior Joe Harris (Chelan, Wash.) leads the ACC in 3-point shooting accuracy at a career-high 47.7 percent. Harris leads Virginia in scoring at 15.2 points per game and has made two or more 3-pointers in eight consecutive games. Junior Akil Mitchell (Charlotte, N.C.) is averaging career highs in scoring (12.1 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg) and is shooting 54.2 percent from the field. Senior point guard Jontel Evans (Hampton, Va.) handed out six assists and did not commit a turnover at Virginia Tech.

Nolte, who leads Virginia freshmen in scoring at 7.1 points per game, has started the last two games in place of injured starter Darion Atkins (Clinton, Md.). Forward/center Mike Tobey (Monroe, N.Y.) has added 6.3 ppg and Justin Anderson (Montross, Va.) had a career-high six assists against the Hokies. Head coach Tony Bennett sports a 66-46 record, including a 2-3 mark against Boston College, in four seasons at Virginia.

Boston College is averaging 68.8 points per game and allowing 67.7 ppg. The Eagles have four players averaging double figures in scoring, led by sophomore forward Ryan Anderson, who ranks third in the ACC in scoring (16.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg). Freshman guard Olivier Hanlan (13.9 ppg), freshman guard Joe Rahon (10.4 ppg) and sophomore guard Lonnie Jackson (10.3 ppg) are also averaging doubles figures in scoring. Head Coach Steve Donahue has a 39-44 record in three seasons at Boston College.

Bennett and Donahue, and their respective coaching staffs, will take part in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Weekend, where head basketball coaches and their assistants across the country will be wearing their sneakers while coaching during this weekend’s games. Suits and Sneakers weekend is an annual event coordinated by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Wearing sneakers is a simple way to spotlight the fact that cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States.

Single-game tickets for Virginia’s game against Boston College 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 11:30 a.m.

Fans may also purchase tickets for the Virginia-Boston College 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 play against NC State on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m.