Virginia basketball won their second game of the season Monday night, beating Coppin State, 62-45, in a defense clinic.
Virginia basketball defeated Coppin State, 62-45, on Monday night. Virginia started off slow in the contest, only leading 11-8 at the under-12 timeout, but began to pull away and make shots when needed. Although not a complete dismantling of an inferior opponent, Virginia put the classic packline strangle on Coppin State, holding them to just 16 points in the first half and 45 in the game.
Virginia led in the game by as much as 28, but Ron Sanchez extended the rotation early to give young guys and walk-ons a bit of an extended run. Although the score was only a 17-point victory, Virginia really was pulling away in the second half before the changes.
This game was absolutely a step in the right direction for Virginia. After escaping Campbell’s efforts to hang around, this one was never a game, and the offense looks to be getting better by the minute. And, although Tony Bennett retired, it is nice to see a packline defense hold an opponent to 45 points.
Takeaway #1: Jacob Cofie is a star
The freshman has had an absolutely incredible start to his career, which, for a Virginia first year, is very rare. Cofie followed up his game-high 16 against Campbell with an all-around quality game off the bench, scoring 11 points, grabbing 11 boards, and adding four steals and three blocks. He shot 3-5 from the field, including knocking down his only three-point attempt, and converting on all four of his free throws.
Whether or not Cofie will be inserted into the starting lineup is still in question, as Elijah Saunders adds a great physicality to the Cavaliers starting lineup that Cofie cannot quite give, and Virginia believes once TJ Power finds a rhythm, he will be critical down the stretch. However, Cofie’s contributions to the team are arguably the most important of anyone thus far, and it will be very exciting to see him continue to improve and contribute this season.
Takeaway #2: Isaac McKneely has to sacrifice percentages for volume
There were times in this game, especially in the beginning, where Virginia’s offense was, for lack of a better term, “Virginiaing.” The ‘Hoos could not get anything going, and Isaac McKneely was being face-guarded for most of those stretches. He later turned on the burners and dropped 14 on 4-8 shooting from three, but Virginia might need even more from him when playing more capable teams.
IMac is Virginia basketball’s catalyst offensively, and even when being guarded closely, he has to shoot at a higher rate. In no means does this mean they need him to take bad shots, but Virginia fans would all agree that they would rather see McKneely take an ok shot rather than passing it up. Although this might tank his shooting percentage a little, the volume is needed, because a couple more threes could be the difference against a top level ACC team.
Takeaway #3: Point guard question mark
Although not a huge concern yet, Virginia ran into a tricky situation when Andrew Rohde was a late scratch due to back injury. Although not a true point guard, Rohde started at the point in Virginia basketball’s opener and was slotted to start this contest as well before being ruled out. Dai Dai Ames stepped into the starting five and had a wonderful game, but Virginia might need to start worrying about the point guard position.
With the Rohde injury stacking on top of injuries to Christian Bliss and Elijah Gertrude, as well as Jalen Warley transferring out once Tony Bennett announced his retirement, a once-loaded point guard lineup is suddenly very thin. Bliss should be back for conference play at the latest, but the freshman has no in game experience yet. Gertrude is out for the season.
Dante Harris, who entered the transfer portal but decided to come back to finish his degree at Virginia, was not on the roster to begin the season, as the ‘Hoos recruited his replacement. However, with Warley’s departure, Virginia does have an open roster spot. Whether or not Harris decides to take it is up to him and the coaching staff, but Virginia would like to add a veteran floor general amid all the uncertainty at the position.
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Next up for Virginia (2-0): vs. Villanova (2-2) – Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Baltimore
Next up for Coppin State (0-4): at UMBC (2-1) – Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.