Unbeaten at home, Virginia battles rested Bethune-Cookman

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th December, 20:52 2024

Dec 4, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) dribbles the ball at Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Virginia looks to build momentum at home starting with Thursday night's nonconference game against Bethune-Cookman in Charlottesville, Va.

The Cavaliers (5-4) are 4-0 at home, where they will remain for five straight games through the first week of January.

Virginia has lost four in a row in road games and at neutral sites, with each defeat by at least 12 points. The most recent was Saturday's 63-51 road setback against an SMU squad making its Atlantic Coast Conference debut.

"Losing sucks, for sure," leading scorer Isaac McKneely (13.6 points per game) said after the loss to the Mustangs in which he was the only Cavalier in double figures with 17 points.

"But my job on this team is to be a leader and keep these guys together. And I just told them after the game that it's a long season, and it's just our first ACC game. We've still got 19 left. Obviously, we haven't had a good stretch here recently, but I'm excited to see where this team can go. I think we're taking steps."

The next step comes against a well-rested Bethune-Cookman squad that also has a two-game losing streak. The Wildcats (2-6) have been idle since a 79-62 defeat at Minnesota on Dec. 1.

Top scorer Brayon Freeman (16.5 points per game) has scored at least 20 in four of the Wildcats' last five games, including a team-high 21 in the loss to the Golden Gophers.

Trey Thomas (12.5) and Reggie Ward Jr. (11.0) are also scoring in double figures for the SWAC program, which is in its fourth season under head coach and former NBA All-Star Reggie Theus.

"We've got a lot of depth, and we have age and experience," Theus said recently. "One of the biggest differences in our team is that we have great size now, where last year we were pretty small."

The Wildcats are 0-5 on the road and have only played one home contest. After visiting Virginia, they have seven more stops to make before their next game at home in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Jan. 18.

Virginia and Bethune-Cookman have met once before, with the Cavaliers cruising 109-49 at home on Dec. 8, 1994.

--Field Level Media