Virginia 86, Miami 83: Swagger, Grit, and a Fitting Finish on Tony Bennett Court

Before the game, the court was officially named in honor of Tony Bennett — a celebration of championships, integrity, and a standard that reshaped Virginia basketball. Head coach Ryan Odom made sure his players were part of it. “When we first came here, we talked about legacy,” Odom said. “Leaving the jersey in a better place. Connecting these guys to this basketball program — most importantly, this university.” Though most of the current roster never played for Bennett, they’ve been taught what the name represents. Jacari White made that clear afterward. “We should play for Virginia — not just ourselves,” White said. “Honor the guys and coaches that came before us.” On this afternoon, they did exactly that.

Virginia trailed by 11 in the first half. Miami attacked downhill, pounded the glass, and made life uncomfortable. But the Cavaliers never flinched. “There’s no 11-point play,” White said. “You just chip away.” That’s been this team’s identity all season. Possession by possession. Defensive stop by defensive stop. A little swagger when needed. Six Cavaliers scored in double figures — a testament to their depth and trust. Odom noted how difficult that makes them to guard. “It’s hard for teams to adjust when you have that kind of balance,” White said. “We all trust each other.”

After Miami tied the game at 83, Virginia didn’t hesitate. Freshman guard Chance Mallory pushed the ball immediately. No pause. No panic. No waiting for a timeout. “I was just trying to get it out as fast as possible,” Mallory said. “Get a shot up and maybe get an offensive rebound.” Instead, he got contact. With 3.7 seconds remaining, Mallory rose for a three, drew the foul, and walked to the line. Three free throws. Freshman. Tie game. Tony Bennett Court.

Swish.
Swish.
Swish.

Ballgame.

“I knew he was going to knock them down,” White said. Mallory finished 7-for-7 from the line. For a freshman to step into that moment — and own it — says everything about his composure. Miami head coach Jai Lucas tipped his cap. “To make three free throws as a freshman in a game like that — very impressive,” Lucas said. “He’s kind of their swagger.” He’s not wrong. Mallory and White change the energy when they enter the game. They push pace. They hunt shots. They bring personality. And on this day, that personality proved decisive.

Virginia didn’t dominate the glass. In fact they were outrebounded by 7. They didn’t play a perfect defensive game. Miami shot well and attacked relentlessly. But the Cavaliers adjusted. They doubled in the post. Rotated out of pressure. Forced five early turnovers with their game plan. They responded to Miami’s physicality with their own. Big man Johan (whom Odom called “tremendous”) protected the rim. Thijs battled for 36 minutes. The group found stops when they absolutely had to. “We challenged them at halftime to be more physical,” Odom said. “Our guys continue to find ways to finish games.” And that’s what this team does.

For Mallory — a local product who grew up watching Virginia basketball — seeing the names on the newly unveiled court carried weight. “It was cool to look down and see all the past people I was growing up watching,” he said. Then he added his own small chapter to that history. On a day meant to honor a coach who built a program on poise, toughness, and belief, Virginia won a game that demanded all three. Not with perfection, but with grit and maybe just a little swagger.

Go Hoos!