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Justin Anderson
Former UVA Player
Robert Barnes
18 Jan, 2023
Our Blog
On Historic Career Pace, Isaac McKneely Leads Y...
Virginia’s leading scorer Isaac McKneely is one of the top three-point shooters in program history. His career 42% from behind the arc ranks a close second to Kyle Guy. He’s on pace to easily pass all-time greats such as Guy and Joe Harris for career three-pointers, placing him behind only the legendary Curtis Staples on that prestigious list.
Ron Sanchez says he's encouraging Isaac McKneely "to hunt some shots."
— Michael Liebermann (@michaellieb01) January 6, 2025
McKneely is at his best, Sanchez says, when he's planning to shoot before even getting the ball. "It's almost like scoring before the catch."
Averaging career-bests across the board this season as a junior, iMac’s all-round game has blossomed. He’s become a more aggressive shot-hunter, while also doubling his assist average and significantly raising his field goal percentage from inside the arc. Wahoo fans are hoping he’ll continue to make strides to help lead the team to a strong finish in the final month of the regular season.
McKneely is a strong candidate for All-ACC honors, particularly if UVA can finish the season well. We hope to have him for another year,, but his basketball career certainly won’t be finished in college. With continued development, his elite shooting ability makes him a potential NBA prospect.
Special Locker Room Access eBay auctions are underway, featuring game worn signed shoes among other items. All in honor of our friend Chris Dembitz, aka Phony Bennett. One of those items is a signed McKneely shirt which comes with the team signed poster pictured above. Proceeds from player merch goes to them through NIL. There are also sneakers worn by members of the coaching staff, with those proceeds going to the UVA children's hospital in Chris's name.
(Featured Image Credit: Jamie Holt/UVA Athletics)
Georgia Tech at Virginia Basketball Preview
The Virginia Cavaliers are back home Saturday to host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It’ll be a special day at John Paul Jones Arena, as former head coach Tony Bennett will be honored at halftime. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM Eastern, televised on CW Network.
The Cavs enter with a 4-8 record in ACC play, while Georgia Tech sits at 5-7. Both teams are coming off arguably their best wins of the season. UVA pummeled Pitt earlier this week and the Yellow Jackets survived a late night triple-overtime thriller at Clemson.
About Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is led by second-year head coach Damon Stoudamire. The former Arizona star played 13 seasons in the NBA. He had a previous head coaching stint at Pacific, followed by a few years as an assistant with the Boston Celtics before taking on the Georgia Tech job. His overall record as a college head coach is 96-107.
Stoudamire’s team enters with an 11-12 overall record, 5-7 in conference play. Despite being hit by a rash of injuries, the Yellow Jackets are playing their best basketball of late. They’re riding consecutive upset wins over Louisville and Clemson. The NCAA’s NET rankings slot them at 119, five spots behind Virginia.
Georgia Tech’s Personnel
The Yellow Jackets have been short-handed recently. I’ll get into the injuries below. The predicament has led to Stoudamire sticking to a very short rotation, with a core group of six players getting heavy minutes.
G - Naithan George (6’3” Sophomore, 11.8 points and 6.3 assists per game)
G - Javian McCollum (6’2” Senior, Oklahoma transfer, 12.2 points and 3.4 assists per game)
G - Lance Terry (6’3” Senior, 15.6 points per game, 38% from 3)
F - Baye Ndongo (6’9” Sophomore, 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game)
F - Ibrahim Souare (6’9” Freshman, 2.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game)
Sacramento State transfer forward Duncan Powell (10.3 PPG) played 49 minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s triple-overtime win.
Hoos Available?
Both teams are dealing with key injuries. For Virginia, it’s starting forward Elijah Saunders (11.8 PPG). He’s been out for the last three games. There seems to be a good chance of his return Saturday. If not, then very soon. The San Diego State transfer is having a breakout season, UVA’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder, while hitting better than 40% from deep.
The questionable player for Georgia Tech is senior guard Javian McCollum (12.2 PPG). He got banged up early in their last game, and didn’t return. Their need for him is amplified due to other injuries that have depleted any depth. Stoudamire has been without three important rotation players for a while now. Kowacie Reeves (9.3 PPG), Jaeden Mustaf (9.1 PPG), and Luke O’Brien (6.4 PPG) are all reportedly getting closer to a return, but probably not quite yet.
Up Next
The Wahoos will have a break coming up before heading to Blacksburg next Saturday for a rematch with the Hokies. That’s followed by a quick turnaround Monday night home game against Duke.
Be sure to tune in for the pregame show, beginning 30 minutes before tipoff. Available on the Locker Room Access Facebook page and YouTube channel.
(Featured Image Credit: Emily Faith Morgan)
Virginia at Pittsburgh Basketball Preview
By Josh Burton
Following a narrow 75-74 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday, the University of Virginia Men’s Basketball team (10-12, 3-8 ACC) will have to move on quickly as they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers Monday night. This one is set for a 7 pm tip and will air on ESPN.
About Pitt
The Pitt Panthers are led by head coach Jeff Capel, in his 7th season. Capel has a career record of 273-209, with Pitt being 14-7 (5-5) this season. They are coming off a tough 76-74 loss at Wake Forest on Saturday.
Lining Up
Pitt generally likes to go 8 deep, but they have dealt with various injury issues so far this season. They’ve also messed with their starting lineup some. In their last two games, they started:
G - #3 Jaland Lowe (6’3” Sophomore, averages 17.4 points, 5.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds)
G - #5 Ishmael Leggett (6’3” Senior, averages 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds)
G - #1 Damian Dunn (6’5” Grad Senior, Houston transfer, averages 10.6 points)
F - #55 Zack Austin (6’7” Senior, averages 9.5 points)
F - #2 Cameron Corhen (6’10” Junior, FSU transfer, averages 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds)
This lineup is a downshift in size, whereas they have also started Guillermo Diaz Graham (7’ Junior, averages 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds) in place of Dunn when they wanted to go with a longer lineup.
Matching Up
The health of the Hoos may determine which lineup Pitt chooses to go with. Junior forward Elijah Saunders has missed the last two games with an injury, which has caused the Hoos to primarily go to a bigger lineup starting both Blake Buchanan and Jacob Cofie. With the quick turnaround here, Virginia coach Ron Sanchez said he doesn't expect Saunders back for this one. That could push Pitt toward going with their bigger lineup.
In the backcourt, the Hoos are getting back close to full strength. That's important in this matchup, as Pitt has a pair of very talented guards. In the last two weeks, both Andrew Rohde (injury) and Ishan Sharma (illness) have missed time. Both were able to contribute on Saturday, a great sign moving forward. UVA will need both to be playing at a high level to have success in this one.
Tony Bennett Day
The Hoos will host Georgia Tech on Saturday. That should be a special day, as it has been marked as a celebration of legendary head coach Tony Bennett. As part of the celebrations a banner will be raised honoring his legacy, with other forms of celebration also planned for both Saturday and in the future.
As always the Locker Room Access show will start 30 minutes before tip. Be sure to join us on both Facebook and YouTube.
(Featured Image Credit: Getty)
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