RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A season that started with so much promise for the Virginia Cavaliers will end meeting one of the team’s goal: a berth in the NCAA tournament, their first trip since 2007.
The Cavaliers started the year 18-3 before injuries and player attrition took their toll. After staying in the Top 25 for much of the year UVA struggled in the latter portion of the season losing 6 of their final 10 games, including an early exit from the ACC Tournament.
Depth is a serious issue for the Cavaliers. After injuries and player transfers this year the ‘Hoos field only 7 scholarship players.
Head coach Tony Bennett says he sees a lot of positives about what this team achieved.
“It’s of course what I think is the greatest sporting event in the world, and they’re going to get to participate in it,” said Bennett. “I know what they’ve been through, and the adversity this year with the numbers being down, they kept battling.”
Virginia will enter the tournament as a #10 seed, taking on the Florida Gators in a game being held in Omaha, Nebraska. Tipoff is set for 2:10pm on Friday, and will be televised on TNT.
Florida is on a recent skid too. They’ve also lost 6 of their final 10 games, although three of those were to #1 Kentucky.
A win would mean a likely date with #2 seed Missouri who matches up with #15 seed Norfolk State on Friday.
