Game 30: UVA vs. Duke

X (Twitter): @TreyKelleher3 (https://twitter.com/treykelleher3)

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA- UVA (+9.5) VS. DUKE

Not much to say here, quite embarrassing actually. If there was one thing Virginia (21-9. 12-7 ACC) needed to avoid, it was yet another blowout loss, and it was apparent from the tip that's exactly what would happen against Duke (24-6, 15-4 ACC) on Saturday night. They were outmanned, out-coached, out-hustled, etc. and it all led to the SIXITH "burn the tape" game of the season and essentially putting them right back in the heart of the bubble in regards to the NCAA Tournament.

Virginia is desperate for a few leaders, both vocally and by example. They need multiple guys to step up so others can feed off of their energy and play well in hostile environments or against opponents where matchups aren't in their favor. Going into Saturday night, Reece Beekman was the only athlete on the roster who had stepped foot in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it didn't take very long to notice how rattled this team was playing in front of that crowd. Combining the environment, the monster skill Jon Scheyer's team has to offer, and the timidness Tony Bennett's team showed throughout the game, it's no wonder this contest ended in a 73-48 rout in favor of the Blue Devils.

It's a little late in the season to be asking for leaders to come to the surface for this team, but it's not too late to ask more from Isaac McKneely, Ryan Dunn, Jacob Groves, and Jordan Minor. Reece Beekman has been the only athlete to show up game in and game out. If Virginia wants to make the NCAA tournament and be there past the first weekend, they have to step it up a notch, or five. UVA has seen every single one of the players listed above contribute a great deal at some point in the season, especially during their 8-game win streak, it just needs to happen at the same time for this team to have success over the next couple of weeks.

Get Jordan Minor involved down low, somebody coach him up to look for the open man when two guys are on him and tell him he doesn't HAVE to shoot it every touch he gets in the paint. Give Isaac the green light from anywhere no matter what the shot clock says, set Jacob Groves more screens to get him open behind the arc, and have Reece keep doing what he has been doing all year.

There also needs to be some risks taken by the coaching staff. Maybe keep Jordan Minor in the game when he has two fouls, increase the minutes of your best offensive players, decrease the minutes of the players who have been nothing but space-fillers all season long, etc.

Most of all, everyone who touches the court for Virginia has to WANT to compete, they have to WANT to make the 50/50 balls 70/30 balls, they have to WANT to be put in tough environments, they have to WANT to make tough plays, they have to WANT to beat their defender on offense and expose their man on defense. For all my baseball fans, Virginia has to WANT to be in the batter's box in the bottom of the 9th inning with a 3-2 count, bases loaded, and two outs. For the past couple of weeks, it seems like they would prefer to be in the on-deck circle.

The good news is, I am certain Tony Bennett and his staff are on it, and who better than those guys to right the ship?

I am looking forward to seeing how this team responds to Saturday's loss against Duke. The Hoos final game of the regular season will be at JPJ against Georgia Tech on Senior Night with an opportunity to lock up the 3-seed in the ACC Tournament next week. Virginia will be favored to win this contest but look for more than just a win.

Senior Night can be a great game to change the momentum of a team. Look for a get-right game and maybe a couple of new looks or plays on the offensive end. Go Hoos!