Just like every other matchup between a 1 seed and a 16 seed, everybody expected UVA to easily defeat UMBC in the round of 64. However, the opposite actually occurred as the Retrievers were easily able to beat the Cavaliers 75-54, making history in the process as no other team was able to do so in the tournament’s history. So how did they do it?
One of the biggest factors that went into the win was the absence of one of Virginia’s best players, forward De’Andre Hunter, who provided the team with efficient scoring and solid defense throughout the season. However, UVA was the 1 seed in the ACC, so the loss of one player should not have made such an impact on the team.
Players like Kyle Guy, Devon Hall, and Ty Jerome, all of whom averaged double digits throughout the season, should have stepped up in light of their teammate’s absence. Although both Guy and Jerome were able to add 15 points, they came sloppily and inefficiently, and the impact that Hunter’s defense had on the team was shown in full display as Jairus Lyles was able to score an easy 28 points on the Cavaliers.
Another huge factor was Virginia’s atrocious 3-point shooting during the game. During the regular season, the Cavaliers shot a very good .383 from the 3-point line and should have easily shot the ball against a team with not nearly as much talent.
To everyone’s surprise, Virginia only shot 4-22 for three-point attempts and very good shooters on the team seemed like they lost the ability to shoot like what happened to Kevin Durant when he lost his basketball talent to a short 16-year-old in the terribly funny movie Thunderstruck.
Meanwhile, everybody seemed to be hot from the three-point line on UMBC as an already great shooting team was able to step up to the challenge at hand and make half of their attempts in the game.
The final, and probably most important, reason that UMBC was able to claim victory was that of the ferocity they entered the game with compared to the complacency of Virginia. Nobody ever expects a 16 seed to win, and if they were to ever win, it would be off a buzzer beater in a very close game.
The Retrievers had other plans, however, as they were able to tie the game going into the half and then explode for 55 to Virginia’s 33 in the second. Virginia’s players seemed like they forgot how to play basketball during the game as they had no response to their opponent’s aggression and smothering defense.
Lyles will be remembered as a college basketball legend forever because of the way he was able to anchor and inspire his team against the best team in college hoops.
A small school in Baltimore defeating one of the largest programs in college hoops is a Cinderella story going to be remembered forever in college hoops. It was a beautiful example of how the right circumstances, great teamwork, and a confident attitude can allow the seemingly impossible to occur.
