Virginia Battles SMU in Corpus Christi

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Nov. 28, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Virginia (5-1) plays SMU (5-1) in the semifinals of the Corpus Christi Challenge on Friday, Nov. 29. The Cavaliers will play Missouri State (5-0) or Texas A&M (6-0) on Saturday, Nov. 30. Tipoff for the Virginia-SMU game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, while Saturday’s game against Missouri State or Texas A&M is 6:30 or 9 p.m. Both games will be played at American Bank Center (8,000).

Broadcast Information
Both Virginia games will be televised on CBS Sports Network and broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network. Live statistics (GameTracker) will be located on VirginiaSports.com, as well as the Virginia Sports app, which is available free of charge through iTunes. Fans can also follow the game via Twitter at @UVaMensHoops.

Ticket Information
Tickets for the final rounds in Corpus Christi can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

For Openers
• Virginia meets SMU for the first time.
• The Cavaliers defeated Liberty (75-53) and Hampton (69-40) in the first and second rounds, while SMU defeated Arkansas Pine-Bluff (87-61) and Sam Houston State (72-53).
• The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense at 48.7 points per game and are second in rebound percentage at 60.3.
• Virginia is outscoring opponents 168-73 in bench points, averaging 28 per game.
• UVa’s average margin of victory is 21.8 points.
• Tony Bennett recorded his 150th career win against Hampton (11/26/13).
• UVa is 48-19 against non-conference opponents during the Tony Bennett era.

Virginia vs. Corpus Christi Challenge Opponents
• Virginia and SMU meet for the first time.
• The Cavaliers would play Missouri State for the first time and are 0-1 vs. Texas A&M, dropping a 60-59 decision on Dec. 29, 1962, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The Head Coaches
Virginia: Tony Bennett (Green Bay, 1992), 81-54 in five seasons at UVa and 150-87 in eight seasons overall.
SMU: Larry Brown (North Carolina, 1963), 20-18 in two seasons at SMU and 197-79 in nine seasons overall.
Missouri State: Paul Lusk (Southern Illinois, 1995), 32-38 in three seasons at Missouri State and 34-61 in four seasons overall.
Texas A&M: Billy Kennedy (SE Louisiana, 1986), 38-33 in three seasons at Texas A&M and 249-212 in 16 seasons overall.

Virginia Receiving Votes in Latest National Polls
Virginia is receiving votes in the latest Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls. The Cavaliers were ranked No. 24 in the AP preseason poll, marking their first preseason AP top 25 ranking since being ranked No. 11 to start the 2001-02 season. Texas A&M received one vote in the AP poll, while SMU and Missouri State are not ranked.

About the Cavaliers
Virginia’s four-game winning streak has been highlighted by its top-ranked defense, rebounding and bench play. The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense at 48.7 points per game and have grabbed over 60 percent of the rebounds, ruling the glass in each of their six games and enjoying a +15.3 average rebound margin per game. UVa has limited opponents to 34.6 percent shooting from the floor.

The Cavaliers are averaging 66.3 points per game, including 28 points per game from their reserves, and have outscored their opponents 202-108 in the paint. UVa sports a balanced scoring attack, led by Joe Harris at 11.5 points per game. Malcolm Brogdon is second at 11.0 points and a team-leading 1.7 steals per game. Anthony Gill, who has led the team in scoring in three games, has added 9.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Darion Atkins leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per game and Akil Mitchell has added 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Freshman London Perrantes leads the Cavaliers with 3.8 assists per game and has just five turnovers in his first six collegiate games.

Last Time Out
Virginia defeated Hampton, 69-40, on Nov. 26 at JPJ. Joe Harris had a season-high 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Justin Andersonadded 12 points, four rebounds and three blocks off the bench. UVa went 8-of-12 from 3-point range for a season-high 66.7 percent and had a season-high 10 steals. Virginia dominated the glass for the sixth straight game, outrebounding the Pirates 42-21.

Up Next
Virginia hosts Wisconsin in the 15th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2.