Strong Second Half Propels Virginia Basketball Past Georgia Tech: 3 Takeaways

Virginia basketball defeated Georgia Tech 75-61 Saturday, marking the first time since late December that the Cavaliers have won back-to-back games. Here are three takeaways from the game.

Takeaways #1: Yellow Jackets decimated by injuries

Georgia Tech entered Saturday’s game with just seven scholarship players available. Four key members of its rotation – senior guards Javian McCollum and Kowacie Reeves Jr, senior forward Luke O’Brien and freshman guard Jaeden Mustaf – were out because of injury.

McCollum got hurt against Clemson on Tuesday and is second on the Yellow Jackets in scoring (12.2); Reeves has been out since late November and was averaging 1.2 blocks per game when he got injured; O’Brien last played in late December and had been a solid player both in the starting lineup and off the bench; Mustaf hasn’t played in almost a month but has been a steady scorer (9.1 points per game) when healthy.

To make matters worse for the Yellow Jackets, senior guard Lance Terry played the game with a hand and wrist injury. He came into the game leading the team in scoring at 15.6 points per game. He was extremely limited, missing all four of his shots and was way off on both of his free throws. It was his first scoreless outing in almost two years.

“We knew going into the game that Lance was hurt and he was going to try to give it a go and be a decoy for us until they figured out he couldn’t shoot or do anything offensively,” junior forward Duncan Powell, who scored 18 points for his sixth straight double-digit performance, said.

If Georgia Tech wants to stay on the right side of the ACC Tournament bubble, it needs to get healthy quickly.

Takeaway #2: UVA’s offense has become efficient

Junior guard Andrew Rohde played great against Georgia Tech, scoring 11 points, dishing 9 assists and grabbing 3 rebounds. He’s third on the Cavaliers in scoring and leading the team in assists and steals. After a dreadful first year in Charlottesville last season, he’s emerged as Virginia basketball’s main point guard this year.

He’s taken his game to another level since the calendar flipped to 2025. He’s averaging 9.6 points and 5.5 assists per game since New Year’s Day, while committing less than one turnover a game during that time. Since Jan. 21st, Rohde has 33 assists and just one turnover, the best ratio in the country. His 5.4 assist/turnover ratio in conference play is the best in the ACC. On a team that is without sophomore guard Elijah Gertrude and redshirt freshman guard Christian Bliss due to injury, Rohde’s steady play has been much needed.

Rohde was part of a balanced offensive attack against the Yellow Jackets. Junior guard Isaac McKneely scored 20 points, 18 in the first half. In the second half, sophomore guard Dai Dai Ames led the charge, scoring 14 points to help the Cavaliers pull away. Virginia has scored at least 70 points in four straight games. The Cavs have gone 3-1 in those games and are Rohde’s missed layup at the buzzer against Virginia Tech from having won all four games.

The Cavaliers have a difficult stretch coming up. If they want to remain competitive, they need to keep this offensive surge going.

Takeaway #3: A touching tribute to Tony Bennett

It’s fitting that Virginia played an efficient, dominant game on the same day the university honored former head coach Tony Bennett. Bennett’s time in Charlottesville was defined by efficiency and suffocating defense. In the second half, the Cavaliers scored 1.21 points per possession while giving up just .86 points per possession. It caused a game that was as close as three early in the second half to be blown open to as much as 17 with less than three minutes to go.

During halftime, Bennett – the winningest coach in program history – came onto the court and was greeted with cheers from the sold-out crowd. Several former Bennett players were in attendance for the ceremony, including Ty Jerome, De’Andre Hunter, Jack Salt, Kyle Guy and Isaiah Wilkins. A tribute video was played and a banner with his name was raised into the rafters. Bennett then spoke for five minutes, displaying the grace and humility he became known for during his time as a head coach.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable being honored like this,” Bennett said. “But the way I look at it, this is a celebration of all the people that have been along with me on this journey.”

In the final minute of the game, Virginia basketball student manager and Bennett’s son Eli Bennett checked into the game, drawing a roar from the fans. Eli got a steal and an assist, causing his dad to smile and pump his fist. All in all, it was a great night for the Cavaliers community.

Next up for Virginia basketball (12-12, 5-8): vs. Virginia Tech (11-13, 4-7) – Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. EST

Next up for Georgia Tech basketball (11-13, 5-8): vs. Stanford (16-8, 8-5) – Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. EST