CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Saturday marked the first time in Tony Bennett’s seven seasons as a head coach that his team scored at least 80 points and lost. Safe to say, the experience was unpleasant.
With his Virginia Cavaliers clawing toward an NCAA tournament bid that few, if any, envisioned during October workouts, Bennett watched them waste a borderline brilliant shooting performance in a 93-81 loss at North Carolina.
Virginia shot 58.5 percent, its best against an ACC opponent in four years under Bennett. The Cavaliers made 12 shots from beyond the 3-point arc, their most in an ACC game since 2008.
Efficient offense has been a foolproof formula for Virginia since Bennett brought his blanketing pack-line defense east from Washington State. Not Saturday.
The Tar Heels shot 49.2 percent, 55.2 after halftime. They made 13 from beyond the arc, six by P.J. Hairston, who scored a career-best 29 points.
Almost as galling to Bennett: 14 turnovers that North Carolina converted into 16 points, and 11 offensive rebounds that gave the Tar Heels 13 points.
“You can’t take away everything,” Bennett said, “but we weren’t taking away anything.”
“Offensive rebounding, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have the biggest guys,” said Virginia wing Joe Harris, who scored a career-high 27 points. “It’s all about effort and boxing your guys out. I think tonight there (were) just too many miscues.”
North Carolina created open shots in transition and with penetration. Using essentially a four-guard lineup that mirrored Virginia’s, the Tar Heels spread the Cavaliers’ defense like few others.
Virginia did the same to North Carolina, and for two-and-a-half minutes early in the second half, Harris morphed into Sean Singletary, scoring at will from all angles. But even as Harris went off for 11 on a four-possession sequence, the Tar Heels countered at every turn, with Reggie Bullock, Hairston and Marcus Paige hitting 3s.
“Maybe that’s made for TV and everybody enjoys it,” Bennett said, “but it’s not fun when you’re sitting there (on the bench) trying to get stops.”
Saturday was about as irked as you’re likely to see the measured Bennett. He even called a timeout during Harris’ binge to rail about his team’s defense.
The deliberate, occasionally grinding. pace of Virginia games is often discussed and misunderstood. The root of that tempo is the Cavaliers’ defense, their ability to force opponents to work deep into the shot clock for a decent scoring opportunity.
North Carolina (17-8, 7-5) didn’t have to work. The Tar Heels’ 93 points and 13 3-pointers were the most against Virginia since Washington went for 106 and 17 in November 2010.
Moreover, the Cavaliers (18-7, 8-4) forced only seven turnovers, and the quicker pace was to North Carolina’s advantage. Virginia’s 69 possessions were two shy of its season-high, against Seattle, and well above its average of 60.5, as charted by Ken Pomeroy.
“It got going a little quick, and we couldn’t keep up,” Bennett said.
Desperately seeking marquee victories, Virginia faces a similar challenge Tuesday at third-ranked Miami (20-3, 11-0). Like the Tar Heels, the Hurricanes have size (Reggie Johnson, Julian Gamble and Kenny Kadji) and perimeter scoring (Durand Scott and Shane Larkin).
That’s among the many reasons the Cavaliers need forwards Darion Atkins and/or Mike Tobey to return to form. Atkins (shin) played only eight minutes Saturday, which marked his high in more than a month; Tobey missed his fourth consecutive game with mononucleosis.
“Usually when I play on it, and I come out, it starts to hurt,” Atkins said. “Now when I come out, it doesn’t hurt as much. It’s more bearable. … It’s basically shin splints. But it went up to a stress reaction, which is almost a stress fracture to the bone.”
“Even though he’s out there, he can’t really move,” said Akil Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ lone remaining post player. “So it’s good to see him get a couple touches, even though he has a long way to go before he’s 100 percent. I appreciate his effort getting out there.”
Bennett said Tobey’s most recent blood tests were improved, but not good enough to permit exertion.
Discouraging thought for Virginia there, as is this: The Cavaliers allowed more points in the second half Saturday (53) than they had in 11 games this season.
“When they’re hitting, and you’re not doing a whole lot to stop it,” Bennett said, “it’s going to be a long night.”
David Teel can be reached at 757-247-4636 or by email at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/teeltime and follow him at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP.
