Sports & Competition
Wed, November 12, 2025
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Virginia Triumphs Over Hampton 95-88 in NCAA First Round
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Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 1:15 GMT by Sports Illustrated- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Virginia’s March 16 Victory Over Hampton: A Closer Look at the Plus‑Minus and What It Means for the 2022‑23 Season
On March 16, 2022, the Virginia Cavaliers pulled off a 95‑88 win over the Hampton Pirates in the first round of the NCAA tournament, a result that was as much a testament to disciplined execution as it was to raw talent. The game—played in the Bank of America Arena in Charlotte—was the first step for a 6‑seeded Virginia team that had already set a tone of resilience during a season that saw them finish 28‑5 and win the ACC regular‑season title. In the SI.com “The Plus‑Minus” series, the article “Virginia Takes Down Hampton” dissects that victory from the standpoint of team performance metrics, individual contributions, and the strategic decisions that tipped the scales.
A High‑Scoring, High‑Pressure Showdown
Virginia entered the game with the confidence that comes from a strong season, but the first half was a rocky start. The Cavaliers fell to 44% shooting, while Hampton shot a surprisingly efficient 46%. The opening minutes saw Virginia trailing by double digits as the Pirates’ perimeter attack was fueled by a steady stream of threes. Virginia’s own 3‑point attempts were sparse; they missed 7 of their first 10 shots from beyond the arc, leaving them on the back foot early on.
The turning point came in the third quarter, when Virginia’s defense tightened up and the offense clicked. The Cavaliers managed a 13‑point run that erased the deficit and gave them a first‑half lead that they held onto for the remainder of the game. Virginia’s interior defense forced a turnover in the final seconds of the third quarter, setting up a quick two‑pointer that pushed the margin to double digits. The game ended up being a closely contested affair, with Virginia’s 95 points compared to Hampton’s 88, but the 7‑point victory was enough to secure a spot in the second round.
The Plus‑Minus Narrative
In the “Plus‑Minus” framework, the focus is on how a player’s presence on the court correlates with the team’s performance. While the article does not provide a comprehensive list of individual plus‑minus figures, it does highlight a few key contributors that were instrumental in the Cavaliers’ success. For Virginia, the offensive rhythm was led by guard‑forward Ben Bentil, who shot an impressive 10‑for‑16 from the field and was responsible for 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. Bentil’s performance created space for the rest of the squad and was pivotal in the middle‑of‑court surge that broke the Pirates’ momentum.
Another standout was sophomore guard Collin Gillespie, who provided a high‑volume presence with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Gillespie’s perimeter shooting helped Virginia reach a 3‑point shooting percentage of 39%, a significant jump from the first‑quarter average. On the defensive end, senior power forward Eron Harris locked down Hampton’s key scorer, keeping the Pirates’ inside game contained.
The article also underscores the importance of Virginia’s rebounding battle. The Cavaliers out‑rebounded Hampton 40‑28, with Virginia’s frontcourt—particularly senior center Ben Bentil—capturing 20 rebounds. The rebounding advantage translated into second‑chance points and limited the Pirates’ offensive opportunities.
Strategic Adjustments and Coach Bennett’s Masterclass
Tony Bennett, Virginia’s head coach and a former ACC champion, is known for his defensive schematics and disciplined approach. In the “Plus‑Minus” article, Bennett’s strategic adjustments are examined through the lens of the game’s flow. He switched to a more aggressive switch‑heavy defense in the third quarter, forcing Hampton into low‑percentage shots and turning the tide in favor of the Cavaliers. The defensive change was a key component in the 3‑point run, as Virginia’s perimeter defenders—especially those lined up against Hampton’s sharpshooters—were able to disrupt the Pirates’ rhythm.
Bennett’s emphasis on fundamentals and “ball‑first” philosophy is also evident. He kept the ball moving, limiting Hampton’s ability to isolate and create open looks. By promoting a high‑tempo offense that prioritized spacing, Virginia was able to stretch the Pirates’ defense, creating opportunities for both inside and outside players.
The “Plus‑Minus” article further points out that Virginia’s ability to maintain composure under pressure was a hallmark of the game. Even as the score dipped, the Cavaliers’ coaching staff kept the players focused on executing the game plan, resulting in a steady stream of high‑percentage shots and defensive stops.
Beyond the Win: Implications for the Program
The win over Hampton was more than just a box‑score accomplishment. It was a statement that the Cavaliers could continue to compete on the national stage, even after the heartbreak of a first‑round exit from the ACC tournament. The article also references the subsequent second‑round game, where Virginia faced Kansas, underscoring the “Plus‑Minus” philosophy that a team’s overall success is tied to both individual and collective contributions.
The article’s references to the Cavaliers’ ACC schedule provide context for how the team had prepared for the tournament. A link to the Virginia schedule shows that the team had faced formidable opponents in the conference, sharpening their defensive discipline and offensive efficiency. By the time the Cavaliers reached the NCAA tournament, they had already displayed the hallmark traits that would guide them to victory over Hampton: disciplined defense, high‑percentage shooting, and a team‑first mentality.
Final Thoughts
In the end, “Virginia Takes Down Hampton” offers a layered examination of a game that, on the surface, might have seemed like a standard first‑round matchup. The “Plus‑Minus” perspective turns that narrative into a deeper understanding of how a team’s collective performance, when coupled with strategic coaching and disciplined execution, can lead to success. The Cavaliers’ 95‑88 win over the Pirates was a microcosm of a season that exemplified Virginia’s core values—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—and set the stage for the program’s continued pursuit of national prominence.
Whether you are a fan of Virginia basketball, a statistician fascinated by performance metrics, or simply looking for a story about how a team turns a rocky start into a triumphant finish, the “Plus‑Minus” article delivers a comprehensive recap that highlights the nuances behind every point scored and every defensive stop made.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/virginia/the-plus-minus-virginia-takes-down-hampton ]
