Coming into their tilt with Houston, there was two big questions for the Cavaliers, would Reece Beekman be healthy enough to make an impact on the offensive end and which defense would impose it’s will.
For Beekman, it was clear that he wasn’t healthy enough to make an impact on a game like this and, as for what defense would win out, it was Houston.
This was an old school 15 round fight. Rounds 11-15 were called the championship rounds.
As the game went on, Houston’s defense wore on UVA and they took that momentum into the championship rounds as they defeated the Cavaliers, 69-61.
For the third game in a row, UVA’s offense didn’t have the rhythm and flow it had early in the season. Beekman’s injury was an impact but it was more about what the Cougars were doing.
UVA shot 22% in the second half because Houston’s on-ball pressure is stressful on the ball handler. It caused the Cavalier offense to get stagnant.
While UVA’s offense was struggling, Houston made a run in the first half when Marcus Sasser got hot and the Cougars were able to get just enough penetration to open things up in their offense.
In the second half, Jamal Shead and Jarace Walker stepped up when Sasser struggled.
Houston also had a knack of keeping balls alive in the second half. They were just quicker to the ball.
In a game like this Tony Bennett’s crew has to get more out of Brandon Vander Plas. The Ohio transfer struggled on both ends.
Up next for the Cavaliers is Miami (FL)
