Virginia Takes On Texas Tech For The National Championship
On Monday night Virginia out of the Atlantic Coast Conference who is the one seed in the South Region will take on Texas Tech who is the third seed in the West Region in the National Title game in Minneapolis.
Virginia and Texas Tech will meet for the first time in program history. “according to file:///C:/Users/Abigail/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/TTU_Game_Notes_Virginia%20(1).pdf Virginia will be the second Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Texas Tech has played this season as they played Duke on December 20th at Madison Square Garden in New York that is home to the New York Knicks of the NBA and were defeated by Duke by a score of 68-59. “according to https://texastech.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball
Virginia comes into the national title game with a record of 34-3 while Texas Tech comes into the national title game with a record of 31-6.
As for how Virginia got to the National Title game they topped Auburn in regulation.
Kyle Guy scored six points in the final 7.4 seconds Saturday – the final three coming on free throws with six-tenths of a second left – to send the Cavaliers to the NCAA championship game for the first time. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
UVA 63, Auburn 62. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"I could lie to you and say I knew I was going to hit them, but I was terrified," Guy said. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Maybe so, but he couldn't have looked more composed at the line. Each free throw dropped through the net, and the Wahoos moved on. Virginia (34-3) will meet Texas Tech (31-6), which ousted Michigan State in the second semifinal, for the NCAA title Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"We found a way," associate head coach Jason Williford said. "I don't know what else to say. I'm at a loss for words." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
He wasn't the only one who felt that way. For much of the second half, the 'Hoos were in control of their first NCAA semifinal in 35 years, and junior guard Ty Jerome's 3-pointer pushed their lead to 57-47 with 5:19 to play. But Virginia began to sputter at both ends of the court, and the Tigers (30-10) responded with 14 straight points, the last two in that run coming on free throws by Anfernee McLemore with 17.6 seconds to play. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
As was the case last weekend in the South Region final against Purdue, UVA's season was in peril. Again, the 'Hoos pressed on. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
With 7.4 seconds left, Guy's contested 3-pointer from the right corner cut Auburn's lead to 61-60. The Cavaliers then fouled guard Jared Harper, sending him to the line for a one-and-one. Harper made the front end but missed his second foul shot, and Jerome rebounded. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
The Tigers had two fouls to give before Virginia began shooting the bonus, and they used the first with 5.4 seconds left. Auburn fouled again with 1.5 seconds remaining, after which UVA head coach Tony Bennett called a timeout to set up a last-second shot for Guy. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"It's a play we put in and practiced it multiple times," Jerome said. "It wasn't just luck. We worked on that situation a lot." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Inbounding the ball from the left sideline, Jerome passed to Guy in the left corner. Guy rose for a 3-point attempt that Auburn's Samir Doughty contested. The shot missed, and the Tigers began to celebrate, only to realize that official James Breeding had called a foul on Doughty. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Breeding ruled that Doughty had moved into an airborne shooter, making contact with Guy while taking away his landing spot. The foul was a violation of Rule 4, Second 39.i., national coordinator of officiating J.D. Collins explained in a statement released after the game. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"This will be a memorable game, and I'd like it to be remembered for [being] a great game," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said when asked about the call. "Let's not remember this game because of just how it ended." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Guy, of course, still had to make the free throws, and the 'Hoos were 3 for 9 from the line at that point. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"I was saying that to [assistant coach Orlando Vandross] on the bench, 'We haven't made our free throws tonight,' " Williford said. "But give Kyle credit. He stepped up and banged 'em." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Redshirt junior Mamadi Diakite's assessment? "He was cold-blooded." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
With the other four Cavaliers watching from near midcourt, Guy calmly made his first two foul shots. Pearl called a timeout before the third, but that didn't faze Guy, who triggered jubilation among the UVA fans in the crowd of 72,711 with his 15th and final point. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"I just literally told myself that we dream of these moments, and to be able to make one happen was special," Guy said. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Bennett said: "We struggled from the line, but for him in that setting to do it, it doesn't get much better than that." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
And so another chapter was added to the remarkable story the Cavaliers have been writing all season. A year after falling to UMBC in the NCAA tournament's first round, thus becoming the first No. 1 seed ever to lose to a No. 16 seed, UVA will play for a national title. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"It's crazy," said redshirt sophomore forward De'Andre Hunter, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half and also finished with five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. "Especially after a game like that coming down to the last moments, it's a blessing to be in the championship." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Jerome led the Cavaliers in points (21), rebounds (nine) and assists (six). “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"I feel like I get asked this question every single round, every round we advance, and every round I say the same thing almost, and it feels a little bit sweeter, a little bit sweeter," Jerome said. "But to think this time last year we were starting our spring workouts, and to still be playing at this point in the season with, after tonight, one other team in the whole country on the stage that you dreamed about since you were a little kid, it's an unreal feeling. We're going to do everything we can to finish the job." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Two years ago, Florida blew out UVA in the NCAA tournament's second. One year ago, UMBC humbled Virginia. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Guy and Jerome experienced both of those defeats, and "now to sit with them here brings great joy to my heart, it really does, because it's good," Bennett said at the postgame press conference Saturday night. "That's all I can say, and I'm so thankful." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Each of Virginia's starters played at least 34 minutes against Auburn. The 6-9 Diakite scored only two points but had six rebounds and a career-best five blocks. Freshman point guard Kihei Clark contributed nine points, three assists, one steal and no turnovers. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
"It's crazy," Clark said. "This is what we work for our whole life as kids growing up in the gym, working out. It's truly a blessing." “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/6/jeff-white-auburn-game-report.aspx
Like Virginia, Texas Tech won their National Semifinal game to advance to the National Title game but unlike Virginia they won by ten points as they defeated Michigan State.
Texas Tech closed out a 61-51 semifinal win over Michigan State on Saturday on a 9-0 run and limiting the Spartans to 31.9 percent shooting in front of 72,711 fans in attendance at U.S. Bank Stadium. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
"I'm just really happy for these guys," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. "We knew we weren't going to out-tough Michigan State, but we wanted to try to match their toughness. In the basketball game, there were some things we had to get done. We knew it had to be a low turnover game. I think we had one or two turnovers in the second half, so that gave us a chance. We had some big-time individual performances when we needed it most. We're excited to live another day and get to play on Monday night." “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Texas Tech (31-6) and Virginia (34-3) will play at 8:20 p.m. on Monday on CBS. The Red Raiders, who are making their first Final Four appearance in program history and broke the school record for most wins in a season, are now 8-1 in the NCAA Tournament under coach Beard after holding an opponent under 60 points for the 19th time this season.”according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
"He (Beard) told us in the summer -- I don't know if it was the first day, but it was early," Mooney said. "He said, we have enough in this gym, in this locker room right here to play on the final Monday night, and either Coach is psychic -- he might be psychic because here we are on the final Monday night. We just believed him and believed in each other all year long." “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Matt Mooney led the Red Raiders with 22 points, while Jarrett Culver added 10 points and five rebounds, Norense Odiase pulled down nine rebounds and Tariq Owens had three blocks and seven points in a game where Tech had only seven turnovers and limited the Spartans (32-7) to only 7-for-24 (29.2 percent) on 3-pointers. Brandone Francis contributed nine points and Kyler Edwards six from the bench, while Davide Moretti had five to help lead the Red Raiders to their first national final appearance in program history. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
"They're great players, great interior players," Odiase said. "They're tough, gritty. We just tried to do a good job on them, slow them down as best as we can. Not just me and Tariq, but our whole team since we switched. I thought our smaller guys battled. They really fought and they were able to help us keep switching the whole game, and it just helped us towards our game plan." “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Virginia advanced with a 63-62 win over Auburn in the first national semifinal with Kyle Guy making three free-throws in the final second of the game. The Cavaliers (34-3) were down by four with 17 seconds remaining in the game before the comeback that ended the Tigers season at 30-10. Ty Jerome led Virginia with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Guy had 15 including going 3-for-3 at the free-throw line with all three coming with 0.6 seconds on the clock. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Tech led 23-21 at halftime and would never trail in the second half, but did see the Spartans cut the lead to one at 52-51 with 2:54 to play after the lead had been as big as 13 when Mooney hit a 3-pointer with 10 minutes on the clock. With the gap down to one, Culver hit a jumper and then a free throw to make it a four-point lead and then popped a 3-pointer for a 58-51 lead. Two free throws by Odiase and another by Culver sealed the double-digit win. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
"On behalf of everybody in our program, I just want to congratulate Michigan State on another Final Four berth, championship season," Beard said. "I have so much respect for them. When you're in games like this and you have a week to prepare, I basically watched every game Michigan State played this year, every interview, every article, and you kind of get to know somebody. This is one of the class programs of all of college basketball. Coach Izzo's handshake and kind words to me after the game is something I'll never forget in my career. So personally, that was pretty cool." “according https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Mooney matched a season-high with 22 points to lead the Red Raiders after hitting four 3-pointers and going 8-for-16 from the field. A graduate transfer, Mooney scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half where he was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
"He's obviously very, very talented, but the thing that really impressed me tonight was just his courage, just to be able to make those big plays and want to be in those moments," Beard said. "When Culver was -- I'm not going to say struggling a little bit, I think when Michigan State was focused on Culver so much, Matt had the courage to step up and take those shots. He's making plays on both ends. I loved his poise tonight. He's a special player." “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
The Red Raiders finished the game with nine 3-pointers and shot 43.1 percent from the field in the game, including going 14-for-25 (56.0 percent) in the second half. Tech was 5-for-10 from beyond the arc in the second half and committed only two turnovers in the final 20 minutes of the game. Culver scored nine of his 10 points in the second half and also had two assists in the game. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Cassius Winston led MSU with 16 points, while Matt McQuaid added 12 and Aaron Henry had 11. The Spartans were 15-for-47 from the field in the game, including going 3-for-13 on 3-pointers in the second half. “according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Texas Tech took a 23-21 lead into halftime with Mooney leading with nine points, while Owens and Francis each had five. The Red Raiders hit four 3-pointers in the first half and held the Spartans to 30.4 percent shooting that included them going 1-for-9 to close out the half. Tech forced seven turnovers in the half and had three blocked shots. Owens had two of those blocks and also had a steal and a 3-pointer to start the game. Both teams led by as many as five in the opening half with the Spartans up 16-11 with 10:37 remaining in the half on a pair of free throws by Winston before the Red Raiders responded with an 8-0 run that started with a Mooney 3-pointer and then a jumper before Francis drilled a 3-pointer to give the Red Raiders a 19-16 lead. Another Mooney jumper gave Tech a 23-18 lead with 2:08 to play in the first half for the final Red Raider points before halftime. Winston, who had nine points at half, pulled the Spartans to within two at the break with a 3-pointer with one minute remaining in the half.”according to https://texastech.com/news/2019/4/6/mens-basketball-final-four-recap-red-raiders-61-michigan-state-51.aspx
Tip-off is set for 9:20pm from U.S Bank Stadium that is home to the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. The game will be televised on CBS.