Cavaliers Host Norfolk State on Dec. 23

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Dec. 22, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia (8-3) hosts Norfolk State (8-4) in non-conference action on Monday, Dec. 23. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena (14,593) is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Broadcast Information
The Virginia-Norfolk State game will be streamed online at ESPN3.com and broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network. Live statistics (GameTracker) are 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 Virginia-Norfolk State game may be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com/tickets. Fans may also purchase tickets 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 1-800-542-8821. Tickets may also be purchased on game day at the JPJ box office starting at 5:30 p.m.

For Openers
• Virginia (8-3) meets Norfolk State (8-4) for the third time.
• The Cavaliers defeated Norfolk State, 67-56, in the first round of the NIT last season.
• UVa is 51-21 against non-conference opponents during Tony Bennett’s five seasons.
• The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense at 54.0 points per game.
• Virginia is outscoring opponents 288-165 in bench points, averaging 26.2 per game.

The Head Coaches
Virginia: Tony Bennett (Green Bay, 1992), 84-56 in five seasons at UVa and 153-89 in eight seasons overall.
Norfolk State: Robert Jones (SUNY-New Paltz, 2002), 8-4 in one season at Norfolk State.

Virginia in the Polls
Virginia received votes in the latest USA Today Coaches poll. 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.

About the Cavaliers
Virginia looks for its ninth win after ending a two-game losing streak with a 57-43 win over Northern Iowa on Dec. 21. Sophomore Justin Anderson and Darion Atkins joined Joe Harris, Malcolm Brogdon and Akil Mitchell in the starting lineup and responded with solid all-around performances. Anderson tallied 16 points and four rebounds, while Atkins had a career-high five blocked shots.

The Cavaliers’ success has been highlighted by their top-ranked defense, rebounding and balanced scoring. The Cavaliers are yielding 54 points per game and grabbing 56.2 percent of the rebounds, ruling the glass in nine of 11 games and enjoying a +9.8 average rebound margin per game. UVa also ranks seventh in the nation in field goal percentage defense at 37.1 percent.

The Cavaliers are averaging 65.8 points per game, marking their highest total under head coach Tony Bennett. Virginia is averaging 26.2 bench points and has outscored its opponents 316-222 in the paint. UVa sports a balanced scoring attack, led by All-ACC performer Joe Harris at 11.4 points per game. Malcolm Brogdon is second at 10.5 points and has added a team-leading 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Anthony Gill, who has led the team in scoring in four games, has registered 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Mike Tobey has chipped in 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Akil Mitchell has added 6.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Freshman London Perrantes leads the Cavaliers with 3.4 assists per game.

Last Time Out
Virginia snapped a two-game losing streak with a 57-43 win over Northern Iowa on Dec. 21. Justin Anderson scored 16 points and Joe Harris added 12 to lead the Cavaliers. London Perrantes tied a season-high with nine points and led UVa with five assists. Darion Atkins added a career-high five blocks and Malcolm Brogdon, Akil Mitchell and Joe Harris had seven rebounds apiece. The Cavaliers held their fifth opponent under 50 points and UNI was just 19-of-60 (31.7%) from the floor.

Up Next
Virginia plays at Tennessee on Monday, Dec. 30. Tipoff at Thompson-Boling Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.