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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 2 Virginia (24-2, 12-2 ACC) hosts Georgia Tech (12-16, 4-11 ACC) in ACC men’s basketball action Wednesday (Feb. 27). Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
For Openers
• Virginia (12-2) is tied for first in the ACC, while Georgia Tech (4-11) is 12th.
• The Cavaliers have a four-game winning streak vs. Georgia Tech.
Broadcast Information
• The Virginia-Georgia Tech game will be televised on ESPN2 and streamed online on ACC Network Extra (WatchESPN.com) and broadcast on the Virginia Sports Radio Network, VirginiaSports.com and Virginia Sports app.
• Live statistics will be located on VirginiaSports.com and the Virginia Sports app.
Fight for Literacy Games
• The UVA-Georgia Tech game is part of the Coaching for Literacy’s Fight for Literacy Games initiative, which brings players, coaches and fans together to ensure America’s children can read.
• The UVA and Georgia Tech coaching staffs will wear green ties, lapel pins and wrist bands to raise awareness about the issues connected to illiteracy.
The Head Coach
• Three-time National and ACC Coach of the Year Tony Bennett has a 243-88 (.734) mark in 10 seasons at Virginia and 312-121 (.721) career mark in 13 seasons.
• Bennett became the 80th active Division I head coach to win his 300th career game against Marshall on Dec. 31, 2018.
• In 2017-18, Bennett led Virginia to its eighth ACC regular-season title, third ACC Tournament championship, school-record 31 wins, ACC-record 17 league wins and ACC-record 9-0 mark on the road.
• Bennett was named the USBWA Henry Iba National Coach of the Year for the third time to rank second all-time behind legendary John Wooden, who captured the award six times.
UVA in the National Statistical Rankings
• As of Feb. 26, UVA ranks first nationally in scoring defense (54.5 ppg), fewest turnovers (239), turnovers per game (9.2), 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.5%) and fewest fouls (377), fourth in scoring margin (17.0), field goal percentage defense (37.4%) and winning percentage (92.3%), sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.56), ninth in personal fouls per game (14.5), 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (39.1%), 25th in rebound margin (5.9) and 26th in free throw percentage (75.5).
UVA Ranked No. 2 in AP Poll
• UVA is ranked a season-high No. 2 in the latest AP poll.
• UVA has been ranked in the AP top six in 26 consecutive polls.
• UVA has been ranked in the AP for 32 straight polls and has been ranked in the top 10 in each of the past 28 polls.
• UVA was ranked No. 5 in the preseason polls and has been ranked in the top 10 in the preseason rankings in four of the past five seasons.
• In 2017-18, Virginia became the fourth team in the Top 25 era to earn a No. 1 ranking after being unranked in the preseason.
• UVA is 73-6 at home in nonconference action under Bennett.
Last Time Out
• De’Andre Hunter scored a career-high 26 points, including 19 in the second half, as then-No. 3 Virginia rallied for a 64-52 win at then-No. 18 Louisville on Feb. 23.
• Virginia trailed 37-27 at the half, before outscoring Louisville 37-15 for its eighth straight win against the Cardinals.
• Louisville was 10 of 16 from 3-point range in the first half, but was 2 of 17 in the second half from distance.
• Mamadi Diakite added 14 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots and Jay Huff chipped in 12 points as UVA owned a 26-15 advantage in bench points.
• UVA outscored Louisville 38-4 in the paint.
All-Time vs. Georgia Tech
• Virginia is 41-40 all-time vs. Georgia Tech, including a 23-11 record in Charlottesville, in the series that dates back to 1947-48.
• The Cavaliers have a four-game winning streak in the series and a
six-game winning streak against the Yellow Jackets in Charlottesville.
• UVA has held Georgia Tech to 54 points or less during the four-game winning streak in the series.
• Virginia is 11-2 in its last 13 games against Georgia Tech, all under head coach Tony Bennett.
Last Time vs. the Yellow Jackets
• Ty Jerome scored 18 points and dished out five assists as then-No. 1 Virginia held off depleted Georgia Tech 65-54 on Feb. 21, clinching the regular season title and top seed in the 2018 ACC Tournament.
• The Cavaliers, who also got nine points each from De’Andre Hunter and Mamadi Diakite, led just 31-30 at halftime.
• UVA had six turnovers and owned a 19-4 margin in bench points.
• Ben Lammers scored 22 points to lead the Yellow Jackets and Tadric Jackson added 15.
Five Cavaliers Among ACC Leaders
• As of Feb. 26, Kyle Guy ranks first in the ACC in 3-pointers (3.0), third in 3-point percentage (42.6%), eighth in minutes (34.4) and 13th in scoring (15.2).
• Ty Jerome ranks second in assists (5.1), third in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0), fourth in 3-point percentage (40.3%) and 15th in minutes (32.9).
• De’Andre Hunter ranks third in the ACC in field goal percentage (54.3%), sixth in free throw percentage (79.3%) and 12th in scoring (15.2).
• Mamadi Diakite ranks ninth in blocked shots (1.54) and Braxton Key ranks 21st in rebounding (5.7).
On the Horizon
• No. 2 Virginia hosts Pitt on Saturday, March 2. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 2 p.m. on Raycom.