Virginia basketball programs have been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament as teams gear up for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds.
In an unexpected turn of events, the Virginia Cavaliers, who were seeded fourth this year, faced a shocking defeat in the first round as they narrowly lost 68-67 to the underdog 13-seed Furman. Similarly, the 12-seed VCU, considered by some as a potential upset pick, experienced disappointment as they were defeated 63-51 by the fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s in the same round.
Despite a lackluster month for basketball teams in Virginia, it is still essential to recognize and honor some of the state’s finest basketball players during the postseason.
Take a glance at the prominent figures associated with March Madness and Virginia.
Ralph Sampson — Virginia)
Ralph Sampson, known for his remarkable professional career, secures his place as the most accomplished player with ties to Virginia basketball. His exceptional contributions to the Cavaliers during his college years are still highly regarded, earning him a spot in the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Under the guidance of Terry Holland, a legendary coach, Sampson led a Virginia team that achieved consecutive appearances in the Final Four and a Sweet 16 during a remarkable four-year period.
Throughout his time with the Cavaliers, Sampson maintained an impressive average of 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks.
Malcolm Brogdon — Virginia
If you want to find a player who truly represents the Tony Bennett era at Virginia, you need not search any further than Malcolm Brogdon. In the initial two seasons under Bennett’s leadership, the team fell short of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. However, when Brogdon joined the team, the Cavaliers successfully made it to the tournament, albeit losing in the second round.
After a year on the sidelines due to injury, Brogdon played a crucial role in the Cavaliers’ six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in the following seasons. In 2014, he played a key part in leading the team to the Sweet 16, and in 2015, he helped them reach the second round.
Despite having a remarkable season, Brogdon’s journey came to a close in the Elite Eight. Throughout that particular season, Brogdon maintained an average of 18.2 points per game while successfully converting 39.1% of his 3-point attempts.
Kyle Guy — Virginia
It is impossible to discuss the victorious 2019 NCAA championship team without acknowledging the significant role played by Kyle Guy. The Virginia team was exceptionally talented, with notable contributions from Guy, De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, and Jay Huff, all of whom subsequently embarked on successful NBA careers.
Despite facing tough competition, Guy emerged as the standout player of the group, receiving the prestigious title of NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. This accolade came after the Cavaliers clinched their first-ever championship. Guy’s remarkable performance, scoring an impressive 24 points, played a crucial role in the team’s thrilling 85-77 overtime triumph against Texas Tech in the championship game.
Guy was the leading scorer for the championship team, averaging 15.4 points per game and successfully making 42.6% of his 3-point shots. He showcased his exceptional shooting skills during the Final Four game against Auburn, where he scored six crucial points in the last eight seconds to guide the Cavaliers to the championship round.
Glen Combs — Virginia Tech
Glen Combs played a significant role in helping Virginia Tech secure their inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance in 1967.
Combs, hailing from Hazard, Kentucky, was a 6-foot-2 guard who managed to maintain an average of slightly over 20 points per game during that particular season. In the first round, the Hokies emerged victorious against Toledo with a score of 82-76, paving their way to face Indiana in the second round.
Combs showcased his scoring prowess by leading the team with an impressive 29 points. Although Virginia Tech’s season came to an end the following day with a 71-66 overtime loss to Dayton, their performance in the program’s debut appearance was commendable. However, it would take another 52 years for the Hokies to reach the Sweet 16 again, and they have not progressed beyond that stage to this day.
Eric Maynor — VCU
In the NCAA Tournament of 2007, Eric Maynor, a sophomore at the time, made the most significant shot of his VCU career.
In a matchup between the 11th seed Rams and the 6th seed Blue Devils, both teams found themselves tied at 77-77 in the final moments of regulation. With seconds remaining, Maynor confidently dribbled to his left and made a decisive mid-range jumper. The shot gracefully dropped through the net, awarding VCU a thrilling victory with only 1.8 seconds left on the clock. This remarkable win marked the Rams’ first triumph in the NCAA Tournament since 1985.
In the subsequent round, VCU unfortunately failed to summon any more magic and succumbed to No. 3 Pittsburgh in overtime.
Maynor had a remarkable tenure with the Rams during his college years. Throughout his four-year stint at VCU, Maynor maintained an impressive average of 15 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.4 rebounds. However, his senior season in 2008-09 proved to be his most exceptional, as he achieved an average of 22.4 points, 6.2 assists, and a 36.1% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc.
Honorable mention: Rodney Rice — Richmond
Rodney Rice’s exceptional performance in the 1988 NCAA Tournament led 13-seed Richmond to a surprising victory over 4-seed Indiana. This win marked the beginning of the Spiders’ inaugural journey to the Sweet 16.
In Richmond’s 72-69 victory against the defending NCAA champions, Rice emerged as the top scorer with 21 points. The forward showcased his shooting prowess by successfully converting three of his seven 3-point attempts. Additionally, Rice contributed to the team’s success by providing two assists and making a significant impact on defense with a rebound and a steal. Notably, his sole rebound arrived at a crucial moment when Indiana’s Keith Smart, the championship hero from the previous year, failed to score a go-ahead jumper. Rice seized the opportunity and swiftly executed a breakaway layup that ultimately secured the team’s triumph.
In addition, Peter Woolfolk contributed 16 points and five rebounds, Ken Atkinson added 14 points and four rebounds, while Steve Kratzer made a significant contribution with 12 points and an impressive 12 rebounds. Together, they effectively balanced the team’s overall production.
Coach Jim Larranaga — George Mason
George Mason will undoubtedly be one of the first teams to come up when discussing Cinderella stories in March Madness.
It is logical to conclude that the Patriots, who were ranked No. 11 during the 2006 tournament, did not win their conference tournament but still received an at-large bid to the big dance. This was significant as it had been twenty years since the CAA had sent two teams to the tournament.
George Mason, with a then-school-record of 23 wins, began their tournament journey against No. 6 Michigan State, who had reached the Final Four the previous year. The Patriots secured an 85-75 victory over the Spartans and narrowly defeated defending national champion North Carolina, a No. 3 seed, to progress to the Sweet 16.
George Mason’s comeback wasn’t over yet. Despite being behind by 12 points in the Elite Eight, the Patriots rallied and took a four-point lead with only 23 seconds left against the top-ranked UConn. However, the Huskies managed to score a quick jumper with seven seconds remaining. Following a missed free throw by George Mason, UConn tied the game in the last second with a lay-in, forcing overtime.
George Mason secured their spot in the Final Four after the Patriots managed to establish a significant five-point lead, their largest of the game, during overtime. UConn’s last-ditch attempt at a 3-pointer missed the mark, sealing George Mason’s victory.
Regrettably, George Mason’s run came to an end when they were eliminated by Florida in the semifinals, who went on to win their first of two consecutive NCAA titles. Nevertheless, Larranaga successfully guided the Patriots to their first-ever Final Four appearance in the history of the program and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
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