The Virginia Cavaliers are on the brink of finishing one of their school's best records through 29 games as the team sits at No. 2 in the rankings with a 27-1 record. That win will not come easy though as the team heads back to the Carrier Dome to face a Syracuse team in need of a big win. The last time the Cavaliers played there, the team wrapped up their second ACC regular season title and they are hoping to repeat the success.
Virginia dominated Syracuse in their last game at the Carrier Dome, getting the 75-56 win which clinched their first outright league crown since 1981. They currently hold a two-game lead in the standings with just two games remaining meaning they can easily wrap up another title on Monday night. The Cavaliers have an 11-game win streak going on with games on the road as they are averaging wins by 14.0 points. However, the Cavaliers have more than just an ACC crown in mind. They want a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and every game factors into that until it is bracket time.
Virginia has been dealing with injuries over the past few games, but have not stalled the team in anyway. Justin Anderson is out for four weeks with a broken finger. London Perrantes has been out with a broken nose, but returned over the weekend. Getting those players healthy in time for the tournament will be the key to lasting success.
Over their past two games, the Cavaliers are shooting 50.5 percent while averaging 69.5 points per game. That is a big improvement from the 55.2 points on 40.3 percent shooting they were putting up. While their offense can stall at times, the Cavaliers have always ridden their defense which is the nation's best at the moment, giving up just 50. 1 points on 35.2 percent shooting to opponents. Those stats do not bode well for Syracuse who shot just 30.6 percent on Saturday.
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