It didn’t matter that Tony Bennett is no longer there. The Virginia Cavaliers still had a plan when facing the Vols at the Baha Mar Hoops – Bahamas Championship opener for both teams Thursday night: slow down the pace, control the tempo and dominate defensively.
This is exactly the style of play that would wreck a Rick Barnes-led team in the past. Unfortunately for UVA, the Vols are a different program now, and they used the tempo to their advantage, by dominating defensively on their own and exerting their will inside.
UT, ranked No. 11 in the Coaches Poll and No. 9 in the AP Poll, beat UVA in a blowout 64-42. The Vols clung to a 22-21 halftime lead with this style of play, but they broke it open in the second half. This all happened with the news that Cameron Carr would miss the next month and a half breaking earlier in the day.
Chaz Lanier was the star and continued to show he may be the next Dalton Knecht, scoring 26 points while going 6-of-12 from three. That was more, by the way, than the entire starting five scored for the Cavs. He was red-hot on the night, particularly in the second half.
Of course, as we’ve said, you can’t rely on dominating from three, but the Vols actually didn’t. They were 9-of-25 on the night from outside, which was just solid. Zakai Zeigler was 0-of-6 from outside. So how were they able to dominate UVA the way they did in the second half?
Well, they used their other advantages to show how elite they are. This defense force 18 turnovers on the night while only committing seven itself. Meanwhile, Igor Milicic Jr. exerted his will and finesse with 14 points, and the Vols outrebounded UVA 43-14 with 18 offensive rebounds. Jahmai Mashack had four steals.
Nobody should doubt this team when at full strength. Speaking at full strength, while Carr is now out, Darlinstone Dubar worked his way back into the lineup and went 2-of-3 from the field en route to 4 points while playing 11 minutes. He could be a major offensive threat in the near future.
With the win, the Vols improve to 5-0 on the year and will face the Baylor Bears, who are No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll, Friday. Virginia falls to 3-1 and will face the St. John’s Red Storm Friday. St. John’s lost to Baylor Thursday.
