Bill: I agree with you regarding the ACC in the 80s and early 90s. We were a finesse league and had to get more physical given the whistles went away in the NCAA tournament. I believe to this day that the original ACC/Big East challenge was great for the ACC in that we got an early look at a good, physical team that played more like the NCAA was going to be called.
Anyone remember when the Big East toyed with 6 fouls during the regular season? It seemingly had to bite them in the tournament when they had to adjust to going back to 5 fouls.
As for UVA in the NCAAs, here’s the losses they’ve had under Bennett and the FTs the other team shot:
– 2017: Florida shot 18, UVA shot 7
– 2016: Syracuse shot 25 free throws, UVA shot 12
– 2015: Michigan State shot 33 free throws, UVA shot 26
– 2014: Michigan State shot 18 free throws, UVA shot 17
– 2012: Florida shot 17 free throws, UVA shot 10
In every one of those games, UVA’s opponents shot more free throws than their opponents.
Whiteshoes: I agree with you on some level regarding UVA. They push you (literally) away from the basket, double the easy shots close to the basket, and leave you less contested looks on long threes. They do clutch, grab, push and use the body though. Make no mistake. Wisconsin (the origin), plays the same way and they also foul a LOT.
Part of that strategy is just to foul on every play. The refs aren’t going to call all the fouls. Set the tone early and enjoy it through the game. I would argue that Duke and K brought that style of play to the ACC. Everyone else just learned from it.
