Virginia’s 2019 NCAA Championship Run
The University of Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team had an incredible run in their 2018-2019 season, culminating in a National Championship victory. This season marked the first time since 1984 that the Cavaliers were able to take home the national title, and it was an incredible accomplishment for the entire team. To get to the championship game, Virginia had to face several tough opponents and navigate a difficult tournament. In this article, we’ll take a look at who Virginia played in the National Championship and how they were able to emerge victorious.
Regular Season Success
Going into the NCAA tournament, Virginia had already had a successful regular season. The team finished the regular season with a record of 29-3, with their only losses coming against Duke, Florida State, and Virginia Tech. Their impressive record earned them a number one seed in the tournament and gave them an easier path to the championship game.
First Two Rounds of the Tournament
The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament went by without much difficulty for Virginia. In the first round, the Cavaliers faced off against Gardner-Webb and won 71-56. In the second round, the team faced the Oklahoma Sooners, and again emerged victorious, winning 63-51.
Sweet 16 and Elite 8
The Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds of the tournament proved to be more of a challenge for Virginia. In the Sweet 16, the Cavaliers faced off against Oregon, a team that had already upset 3-seed Purdue and 2-seed Wisconsin. However, Virginia was able to pull off a 53-49 victory.
In the Elite 8, Virginia faced Purdue again, this time in a much closer game. The Cavaliers were able to squeak out a 80-75 victory to advance to the Final Four.
Final Four Match-up
Virginia’s match-up in the Final Four was against the Auburn Tigers, who had already upset 1-seed North Carolina and 2-seed Kentucky. It was an intense game, but the Cavaliers were able to pull away in the second half and win the game 63-62.
National Championship Game
The National Championship Game was the moment that Virginia had been waiting for all season. Their opponents in the final game were the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score. In the end, Virginia was able to pull off a thrilling 85-77 victory to take home the National Championship.
Key Players in the Championship Game
The Virginia Cavaliers had several key players in the National Championship Game that helped them earn the win. De’Andre Hunter was the leading scorer for the Cavaliers with 27 points. He was also the MVP of the game, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Ty Jerome was another key player, scoring 16 points and dishing out 8 assists. Mamadi Diakite was also important, scoring 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.
The Aftermath of the Championship
The National Championship victory was a huge moment for the Virginia Cavaliers, and it was celebrated by the entire university. The team was welcomed back to Charlottesville with a huge parade and celebration. The victory also brought national recognition to the Cavaliers, and to the ACC as a whole.
Virginia’s Legacy in the Tournament
Virginia’s National Championship victory was an incredible accomplishment, and it solidified their place as one of the best teams in college basketball. The Cavaliers are now the only ACC team to have won a National Championship in the last 15 years, and their victory has inspired other teams in the conference to strive for similar success.
Key Takeaways
To recap, the University of Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team had an incredible run in the 2018-2019 season, culminating in a National Championship victory. The team faced several tough opponents on their way to the championship game, including the Oregon Ducks, Purdue Boilermakers, and Auburn Tigers. In the end, the Cavaliers were able to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the National Championship Game to take home the title. This victory was celebrated by the entire university and has solidified Virginia’s place as one of the top teams in college basketball.
Conclusion
The University of Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team had a remarkable 2018-2019 season, culminating in a National Championship victory. The team faced several tough opponents on their way to the championship game, and in the end, they were able to take home the title. This victory was celebrated by the entire university and has solidified Virginia’s place as one of the top teams in college basketball.