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ACC team-by-team previews: Notre Dame, Duke battle for the top

By Arielle Chambers

TALLAHASSEE, FL - JANUARY 12: Asia Durr (25) guard Louisville Cardinals stumbles with the basketball against Brittany Brown (12) guard Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles in an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match-up on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU wins 65-72. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - JANUARY 12: Asia Durr (25) guard Louisville Cardinals stumbles with the basketball against Brittany Brown (12) guard Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles in an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match-up on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU wins 65-72. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Virginia

Projected finish: 6th

Last year’s record: 20-13, 7-9 ACC

Key Returners (last season’s stats)

F-Lauren Moses, 6’2, (Mount Holly, NJ), SR- 9.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 26.5 MPG; started every game of collegiate career; 800 points & 600 rebounds so far.

G- Jocelyn Willoughby, 6’0, (East Orange, NJ), SO- 9.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 29.9 MPG; All-ACC Freshman team.

G- Dominique Toussaint, 5’9, (Staten Island, NY), SO- 9.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 26.1 MPG; All-ACC Freshman team.

F- Mone Jones, 6’3, (Durham, NC), JR- coming back from leg injury.

Biggest losses (last season’s stats)

G- Breyana Mason, 5’8, (Woodbridge, VA), SR- 10.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 35.2 MPG.

CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 09: Virginia forward Lauren Moses (21)
CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 09: Virginia forward Lauren Moses (21) /

Newcomers

G- Brianna Tinsley, 5’7, (Madison, VA), FR

Head Coach

Joanne Boyle, 7th season

“This year, theres an incredible determination to get to the tournament…there’s just been a determination, [knowing] that we should have,” Boyle said. “We’re ready for more.”

Coach Boyle described her Virginia team as a “very selfless team… [Everyone is] focused on moving the team forward and focusing on the team goals.”

“They are ready for [the Big Dance]…They have to show up every day and be that team and I know we’re capable of it.”

SYRACUSE, NY – JANUARY 11: Head coach Joanne Boyle of the Virginia Cavaliers
SYRACUSE, NY – JANUARY 11: Head coach Joanne Boyle of the Virginia Cavaliers /

Key non-conference games

Nov. 10– @ Mississippi State

Nov. 26- Duquesne

Nov. 29- Maryland 

Outlook

Virginia’s national attention comes as no surprise.  The veteran team is returning all but Breyana Mason, who led the team in assists and scoring.  Nevertheless, Coach Boyle remains confident in her team’s consistency. 

Virginia’s generosity leads to an effective offense. The ball is shared, so on any given night, anyone can be a go-to scorer.

The team has depth as well. Positions two through five are strong, making them “nine deep, if not 10.” The point guard position, however,  has been described as a work in progress.

Virginia is a threat because they are a fast tempo team with size; they are the tallest team in the conference.  6’9 sophomore Felicia Aiyeotan, among others, protect the rim.

Defense is the “bread and butter” of their program, Boyle said.  As a whole, Virginia held opponents to 55.5 PPG. Their consistency comes in the “non-negotiables: effort, rebounding and defense.”  Even so, Virginia is aiming to be an even better rebounding team this year.

Last year, UVA suffered a shocking fate, just missing the NCAA tournament. This year, they’re attempting to lock in on their goal. “Not coming out where we wanted us to be makes us hungrier this year,” Boyle said.

Their veteran experience will be a contrast to many of the ACC teams this year and can very well play to their advantage.

Best case scenario:

Virginia came into conference play hungrier than ever. Their defense and size gave them an advantage on many guard heavy teams.  Because of their size, match ups on the perimeter are to their favor and in the paint, they have a 6’9 protector.

Worst case scenario:

Virginia just cannot seem to close out games. They wind up in the same predicament as the ’16-’17 season.

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