Virginia lost Mike Scott because of surgery on his left ankle this Thursday, and the team’s leading scorer and rebounder was out of action Friday night. Scott is expected to be out for only a short while due to the injury…Whew…
In Scott’s absence, freshman K.T. Harrell, and veteran Mustapha Farrakhan carried the scoring load for the Hoos. Harrell shot 8-12 from the field in 35 minutes, and only had one turnover in the game.
Oregon only recorded one player in double-figures, as their best player Joevan Catron scored 16 points on 7-15 shooting. The Ducks had 13 turnovers, and the Hoos had only 11 TO’s on the night.
Tony Bennett’s Wahoos had been worried about Oregon’s full-court defense coming into the contest, but the injury-depleted Hoos managed to beat the press. Freshman Akil Mitchell played 26 minutes, as he showed the Virginia faithful for the first-time this season that he could develop into a stout defender in the post.
Sammy Zeglinski, who had hardly played all season after recovering from knee surgery, was a huge contributing factor to Virginia handling the Oregon press. Zeglinski provided excellent leadership for Bennett’s Hoos, and he finished the game 3-5 from behind the three-point-line, and he pitched in 12 points.
Virginia once again traveled to the free-throw line more than their opponent, making 14-19 at the line. The Hoos shot 50 percent from the field in the game, as the Ducks shot 34.5 percent.
Norfolk State comes to town Monday night for a seven o’clock tip at the JPJ, and then have a fairly quick turnaround game on Wednesday as Seattle comes to town. Go Hoos!