An enormous best 10 matchup satisfied the publicity on Monday, as No. 4 Virginia went into No. 8 North Carolina’s home and turned out with what could prove to be a pivotal road victory come Selection Sunday.
UVA 69, UNC 61.
The amusement was nearer than that all through a great part of the night – UNC led the pack in the second half and was threatening to win, leading by seven with 8:58 to go – yet Virginia made stops and big shots down the stretch. Kyle Guy’s 3-point shot, that gave Virginia a 67-61 lead with 70 seconds to go, secured a big deal win for the Cavaliers (21-2, 9-2 ACC).
Kyle Guy and De’Andre Hunter each had 20 points for Virginia, which stays undefeated this season against groups not named Duke.
For UNC, the amusement may have been different had freshman Coby White’s 3-pointer gotten off in time. Had this bucket gone in, the Tar Heels would have driven 62-59.
Therefore White completed with a group high 17 points rather than 20, however more critically, North Carolina (19-5, 9-2 ACC) completed with 61.
The success keeps Virginia on the No. 1 line in CBS Sports’ Bracketology. North Carolina is currently 19-5, while Virginia moves to 21-2.