The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team, currently standing at 6-4, finds itself in a crucial position as they strive for a marquee win before the new year. On Wednesday evening, they have a golden opportunity to face off against the highly ranked No. 21 Memphis Tigers, who hold a record of 8-2. While many students will be away with their families during winter break, UVA's home court advantage could potentially give them the edge in pulling off an upset.

Memphis' Surprising Journey

Earlier this year, Memphis made a remarkable run in the Maui Invitational. They managed to defeat the defending champions, UConn, and Michigan State before falling to Auburn in the finals. More recently, they achieved a hard-fought 87-82 overtime win against a strong Clemson team on the road. This shows that Memphis is a team to be reckoned with and poses a significant challenge for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Getting to Know Memphis

They are shooting lights out from three-point range. As of now, more than a month into the 2024-25 college basketball season, Memphis ranks second in the nation with a remarkable 44.3% three-point percentage. To put this into perspective, in Virginia's best three-point shooting season in 2016, they achieved 40.2% which ranked 10th in the nation. It's clear that Memphis' shooting prowess is exceptional, but it's likely that their shooting will stabilize as the season progresses. Two players who are currently on fire from three are Tyrese Hunter (32/62 from three) and Colby Rogers (25/56 from three). Virginia has struggled to defend against the three-point shot, and their packline defense often leads teams to rely on three-point shooting. This presents a difficult matchup for the Cavaliers.They are as old and experienced as any team. While their leading scorer is redshirt sophomore PJ Haggerty, the next six primary scorers and minute-getters are all seniors. This includes several transfers, with star senior guard Tyrese Hunter standing out. He transferred from Texas and brings a wealth of experience. They also have transfers from Ole Miss and Illinois, giving them a team with plenty of experience against power conference opponents. Older players, especially guards, tend to make fewer unforced mistakes. Virginia's struggles this year with turnovers and other mistakes highlight the importance of having an experienced roster. It will take leadership from players like Elijah Saunders and Isaac McKneely if the Cavaliers are to have a chance against this veteran Memphis team.

A Player to Watch

G PJ Haggerty (#4)After earning the freshman of the year award in the AAC last season while at Tulsa, PJ Haggerty made the decision to join Memphis, and it has been a perfect fit. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is a dynamic force with the ball in his hands. He is averaging an impressive 21.9 points per game, ranking 9th in Division 1. He shoots an efficient 47% from the field and 39% from three-point range. On defense, Haggerty has active hands, constantly intercepting passes and stripping ball-handlers. He is also an elite finisher in transition. He plays some point guard alongside Tyrese Hunter, but his true strength lies in his scoring and slashing ability from the wing. He is not afraid to take difficult mid-range pull-ups and floaters and is very effective around the rim. Memphis has a strong case for having one of the best backcourts in the country with Haggerty and Hunter. The Virginia defense will need to step up significantly if they hope to contain this dynamic duo.

Prediction

I am hopeful that Virginia will continue to improve as we move into 2025. However, it is a tough task to see them emerge victorious against Memphis. Memphis is older, more athletic, and has a better three-point shooting game. But Virginia will not go down without a fight on their home court. I think Memphis may lose a bit of focus with the holidays approaching, and Virginia's defensive intensity will keep them in the game. Ultimately, Memphis is likely to make too many three-pointers for Virginia to overcome. I predict a final score of Memphis 72, Virginia 63.