Virginia Basketball Struggles Continue as Cavaliers Face SMU - Times News Global
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Virginia Basketball Struggles Continue as Cavaliers Face SMU

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Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Game Vs Smu

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of Virginia men’s basketball team is in dire need of a morale boost as they prepare to face Southern Methodist University (SMU) on Wednesday night. The Cavaliers, currently 8-8 overall and 1-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), are coming off a disappointing road trip to California, where they suffered double-digit losses to California and Stanford.

Virginia’s struggles have been stark. Ranked 136th in Division 1 by KenPom, the team is on track for its worst finish in the history of the KenPom metrics, which date back to 1997. With their NCAA Tournament hopes all but dashed, the Cavaliers are now playing for pride and development. Head coach Ron Sanchez is expected to experiment with lineups and give younger players more court time to build for the future.

The Cavaliers previously faced SMU earlier this season, losing 63-51 despite holding a seven-point lead late in the game. Virginia’s offense faltered in the final minutes, going scoreless from the field and allowing SMU to close on a 25-6 run. Rebounding has been a persistent issue for the Cavaliers, who rank 332nd nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and 206th in defensive rebounding percentage. SMU, meanwhile, excels on the offensive glass, ranking 13th in the country.

Key players to watch include SMU’s 7-foot-2 freshman Samet Yigitoglu, who scored 16 points in the previous matchup, and senior guard Kario Oquendo, who averages nearly 10 points per game off the bench. Oquendo’s three-point shooting (44.4%) and ability to crash the boards make him a significant threat.

Virginia’s big men, including Blake Buchanan, Elijah Saunders, and Jacob Cofie, will need to step up defensively to counter SMU’s rebounding prowess. The Cavaliers’ guards must also contain Oquendo and prevent second-chance points.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, with the game airing on the ACC Network. Follow live updates for score and play-by-play analysis.